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Fall in Love with Rhododendrons: Our New Collection for Irish Gardens

Some plants quietly earn their keep all year. Others wait for just the right moment and then put on a show you can’t ignore. Rhododendrons do both – giving you rich, evergreen structure through the winter and then exploding into colour just when the garden needs it most.
This season we’ve expanded our rhododendron collection with a beautiful range of new varieties, all in a handy 5L size at €22 each, alongside our larger, more established specimens for instant impact. Whether you’re starting a woodland border, brightening a shady corner or adding structure around a terrace, there’s a rhododendron here to suit.

Why Rhododendrons Work So Well in Irish Gardens

Irish gardens are made for rhododendrons. They love:
  • Moist, humus-rich soil
  • Sheltered, semi-shaded spots under trees or along boundaries
  • Cooler summers, which help the buds form and flowers last longer
In return, they give you:
  • Evergreen structure – glossy foliage that looks good 12 months of the year
  • A spectacular spring display in shades of white, pink, red and purple
  • A natural woodland feel that works beautifully with ferns, hostas and spring bulbs
If you have a tricky, slightly shady area where “nothing much happens”, a rhododendron (or three) can completely change the mood.

Meet Our New 5L Rhododendron Collection – €22 Each

Our new 5L range is perfect if you’d like to plant a few together for a drift of colour, or if you’re building up a border over time. Highlights include:
  • Rhododendron ‘Albert Schweitzer’ – soft pink trusses on a strong, evergreen framework; lovely in classic mixed borders.
  • Rhododendron ‘Anah Kruschke’ – rich purple blooms that really glow in shade; great for adding depth and drama.
  • Rhododendron ‘Anna Rose Whitney’ – big, romantic rose-pink flowers on a substantial shrub; a real statement piece.
  • Rhododendron ‘Arctic Tern’ – cool, clean white flowers that brighten darker corners and work beautifully in white gardens.
  • Rhododendron ‘Arends Favorit’ – a reliable, free-flowering variety with generous trusses and a neat habit.
  • Rhododendron ‘Blue Silver’ – soft, bluish tones to the foliage and flowers that sit beautifully with greys and silvers.
  • Rhododendron ‘Cream Crest’ – gentle, creamy flowers for a softer, more understated look.
  • Rhododendron ‘Shamrock’ – compact and tidy, ideal for smaller gardens and the front of borders.

We’ve also added a lovely group of evergreen azalea-type rhododendrons (AJ) in the same 5L size:
  • ‘Addy Wery’ – rich red flowers on a low, mounding plant; perfect for pots and path edges.
  • ‘Anne Frank’ – soft, romantic tones for woodland-style planting.
  • ‘Anouk’ – a pretty, free-flowering variety with a compact habit.
  • ‘Blaauw’s Pink’ – masses of warm pink flowers on a neat, evergreen cushion.
  • ‘Excelsior’ – a reliable, colourful azalea for the front of borders.
  • ‘Fumiko’ – refined and compact, ideal for smaller spaces.
  • ‘Pleasant White’ – gentle white blooms that light up shady spots.

And for those who like a little extra drama, our (F) varieties bring deeper, richer colour:
  • ‘Abendrot’ – glowing, sunset tones on a compact plant.
  • ‘Baden-Baden’ – a low, dense mound of deep red in late spring; brilliant for pots and edging.
  • ‘Bengal’ – fiery red flowers on a strong, evergreen shrub; a real show-stopper.

All of these are available now in 5L pots at €22, ready to slip into borders or containers.

Larger Rhododendrons for Instant Impact

If you’d like something more established from day one, we also have a range of larger rhododendrons that bring that “instant garden” feel.
Two customer favourites:
For those looking for something truly mature, we also stock super-sized rhododendrons – ideal when you want a garden to feel settled straight away or need instant screening:
Browse the range here: https://caraghnurseries.ie/page/10/?product-category&s=Rhododend

How to Use Rhododendrons in Your Garden

A few ideas from our own planting schemes:
  • Create a woodland walk
    Underplant rhododendrons with bluebells, ferns and hostas along a path or boundary. Mix heights – taller varieties like ‘Anna Rose Whitney’ at the back, compact azaleas like ‘Baden-Baden’ and ‘Blaauw’s Pink’ at the front.
  • Brighten a shady corner
    Use whites and soft tones – ‘Arctic Tern’, ‘Pleasant White’, ‘Cream Crest’ and ‘Cunningham’s White’ – to reflect light and make darker areas feel calm and inviting.
  • Build an evergreen backbone
    Combine rhododendrons with other evergreens such as camellias and yew to give structure, then weave in hydrangeas, hellebores and bulbs for seasonal colour.
  • Container displays
    Many of the compact azalea types are perfect in large pots filled with ericaceous compost and don’t forget the Ericaceous feed too to ensure they don’t run out of nutrients in the pots  You will find both here. https://caraghnurseries.ie/?product-category=garden-accessories-2&s=Eric.
  • Place them by a front door, on a shaded terrace or near a seating area so you can enjoy the flowers up close.

Planting & Care – The Essentials

Rhododendrons are straightforward once they’re in the right spot:
  • Soil: They need acidic, humus-rich soil. If yours is neutral or alkaline, plant in raised beds or large containers with ericaceous compost.
  • Position: Partial shade or dappled light is ideal. Morning sun is fine if the soil stays moist.
  • Watering: Keep them well watered in their first couple of years and during dry spells. Rainwater is ideal where possible.
  • Feeding: Use an ericaceous feed in early spring and again after flowering to support next year’s buds.
  • Mulch: A yearly mulch of leaf mould, bark or pine needles helps keep the roots cool and the soil acidic.
If you’re unsure which variety will work best in your garden, our team is always happy to help you choose – bring a photo of your space, or book a personal shopping appointment and we’ll walk through the options with you.

Ready to Add Rhododendrons to Your Garden?

You can browse and order our full rhododendron collection online, or visit us at the nursery to see the plants in person. Whether you’re starting with a couple of 5L azaleas for pots or going all-in with mature specimens for instant structure, rhododendrons are one of the most rewarding ways to bring colour and character to an Irish garden.

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