Yellow flowering rhododendrons
Our best picks of yellow flowering rhododendrons, which are typically in pastel colours, making them well suited to soft, tranquil planting schemes. Pastel yellows create a romantic, dreamy appearance alongside other pastel colours, particularly when combined with rose, lilac and periwinkle. It contrasts well with soft baby blue, which is a complementary colour on the colour wheel and can be used in a citrus theme alongside shades of orange. Pastel yellow also pops next to black and creates a fresh appearance against crisp whites. Yellow-flowering rhododendrons are part of the wider group of acid-loving, spring-flowering bushes which have been mainstays of woodland-style planting schemes for decades. They're grown for their abundant clusters of spectacular, showy flowers, produced above an impressive structure of spirally arranged, typically evergreen, large leathery leaves. Rhododendrons are generally larger than Azaleas, preferring a sheltered, shaded spot in a moist, acidic soil in dappled shade, protected from cold, drying winds. Smaller and dwarf rhododendrons are well-suited to growing in containers, whilst larger specimens are ideal for informal, woodland-style or naturalistic schemes. Incorporate plenty of ericaceous compost when planting and keep well watered, using rain water where possible, especially in hard water areas where tap-water contains calcium that will neutralise their preferred acidic soil. Dead head faded flowers to encourage a continuous flush of fresh blooms.