Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn'
RHODODENDRON
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: ro-do-DEN-dron
![Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn' Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn'](../../images/shrubs/RhododendronPhyllisKorn-thumb.jpg)
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
![Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn' Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn'](../../images/shrubs/RhododendronPhyllisKorn052208.jpg)
Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: not listed.
USDA zones: 6-9.
Heat zones: 9-6.
Mature size:
Height: 5 feet (152 cm) in ten years.
Width: 5 feet (152 cm).
Flowering period:
April to May.
Flowering attributes:
The flowers, white, funnel-shaped with wavy lobes, are held in trusses with up to 12 flowers in each one. The dorsal blotch starts out as a rusty-red hue. As the flower fades, it turns to a greenish-yellow.
Leaf attributes:
Five-inch long, glossy, evergreen leaves.
Growth habit:
Upright.
Light:
Full sun to part shade.
Soil:
Humus rich, well-drained, acidic soil.
Pruning Methods:
Lightly prune for symmetry after the shrub has finished flowering; rarely needs pruning.
Rainy Side Notes
![red blotch red blotch](../../images/shrubs/RhododendronPhyllisKorn050105_2.jpg)
![yellow blotch yellow blotch](../../images/shrubs/RhododendronPhyllisKorn050105_10.jpg)
![Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn' Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn'](../../images/shrubs/RhododendronPhyllisKorn050105_9.jpg)
When we moved into our home, the first thing we did was pull this shrub out away from the window it was about to engulf. We replanted it in a raised bed where it could grow to its full potential. I pruned away lower branches so you could see its shaggy bark trunk, making it look like a small tree. I wanted to utilize the shade underneath for ferns and other shade loving plants.
I have seen Rhododendron 'Phyllis Korn' described as having creamy-yellow petals; however, those that describe it show photos with creamy-white to white petals. I would say it's nowhere near the color yellow; either that or my view of the color is skewed. I believe the aged blotch contributes to the color confusion when viewed at a distance. Closer inspection reveals that the petals are white.
The dorsal blotch is a rusty-red hue when the buds first open, then fades to a greenish-yellow as the flower ages. A prolific bloomer, the shrub smothers itself in blossoms from late April to May.
Registered in 1981, 'Phyllis Korn' has R. catawbiense in its parentage and is a Robert Korn cross.
Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
![Gardening for the Homebrewer Gardening for the Homebrewer](../../images/front_page/GardeningHomebrewerBookCover.jpg)
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton