Rhododendron Rhododendron 'Mrs A.t. de la Mare'

Names

• Family

  Ericaceae

• Synonyms

  Mrs. A.T. de la Mare Rhododendron, De La Mare Rhododendron

• Common names

  Rhododendron 'Mrs. A.T. de la Mare'

Toxicity

• To humans

  Rhododendrons, which include the 'Mrs. A.T. de la Mare' variety, contain grayanotoxins that can cause poisoning if ingested. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse, and potentially death. It is advised to avoid consuming any part of the plant.

• To pets

  Rhododendrons are toxic to pets, including dogs, cats, and horses. If pets ingest any part of the plant, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, incoordination, cardiovascular collapse, coma, and potentially death can occur. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if a pet has ingested any part of a rhododendron.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Evergreen

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Pink

• Height

  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)

• Spread

  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)

• Plant type

  Shrub

• Hardiness zones

  5

• Native area

  Asia

General Benefits

• Aesthetic Appeal: Rhododendron 'Mrs A.T. de la Mare', commonly known as Azalea, offers striking clusters of pink flowers that enhance garden beauty and create focal points in landscape design.
• Habitat Support: This plant provides shelter and nesting sites for various birds and other wildlife, contributing to biodiversity in the garden.
• Pollinator Attraction: Azaleas attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, helping to facilitate pollination of surrounding plants.
• Seasonal Interest: With its vibrant blooms, the Azalea offers seasonal interest, particularly in the spring when flowers are most abundant.
• Erosion Control: The robust root system of Rhododendron 'Mrs A.T. de la Mare' can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in sloped gardens.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• The Rhododendron's leaves can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, providing hues ranging from yellows to greens depending on the mordant used.
• The tannin-rich leaves of the Rhododendron can be used as a natural leather tanning agent, although this is not a common practice.
• Dating back to traditional practices, Rhododendron petals and extracts have been used to create botanical inks for writing and artwork.
• Some species of Rhododendrons are said to have a honey intoxicating property, which historically has been used to make a hallucinogenic and possibly toxic honey.
• The wood of Rhododendron is occasionally used for carving decorative items or making small pieces of furniture, though this is not a common wood choice due to its limited size and toughness.
• In horticulture, Rhododendron is used as a rootstock for grafting less hardy but more ornamental Rhododendron varieties.
• Certain cultures have used Rhododendron leaves as bookmarks, taking advantage of their leathery texture and the belief that their natural scent could deter insects from damaging paper.
• The thick foliage of Rhododendrons can be creatively pruned into topiary forms for ornamental garden displays.
• Due to their typically dense form, Rhododendrons can be strategically planted as a noise barrier in gardens located near busy streets or highways.
• Rhododendrons are sometimes used in rituals or ceremonies, with their flowers symbolizing various sentiments depending on the culture and context.

Feng Shui

The Rhododendron is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Rhododendron is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Caution: Rhododendrons, including the 'Mrs A.t. de la Mare' variety, are known to contain toxic substances that can be harmful if ingested. Their symbolism of caution is a reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath beauty.
• Elegance: This specific cultivar of Rhododendron is often appreciated for its elegant blooms, which come in large, showy clusters. The elegance attributed to this plant reflects its sophisticated and graceful appearance in the garden.
• Wealth: Rhododendrons have been associated with wealth due to their full, luscious blooms and often large, verdant foliage. This symbolism is often tied to their ability to produce an abundance of flowers, creating a sense of opulence and prosperity.
• Survival: These plants are known for their hardiness and ability to survive in various climates. The symbolism of survival speaks to the Rhododendron's ability to withstand challenging conditions and thrive.
• Passion: Rhododendrons can stand for passion, as their vivid and bold flowers can evoke strong emotional responses. This symbolism can be related to the passionate nature of human emotions, just as intense as the colors of the Rhododendron's blooms.