Rhododendron Madame Masson

Rhododendron Madame Masson
Rhododendron Madame Masson is a well-loved large evergreen rhododendron with striking white flowers. This rhododendron is a large and dense spreading type from the well-known Elepidote Hybrids. It’s an established variety and popular in the UK for its evergreen glossy leaves that are thick and smooth to touch, but its large white flowers steal the show in late spring. 

Madame Masson’s white flowers with delicate yellow stamens grow on conical trusses resembling stars with a golden flash on each topmost petal. Flowers last for weeks and may appear out of season. This is an old variety of rhododendron that’s hardy throughout the UK. It’s endorsed by the RHS AGM for its hardy attributes and beautiful reliable flowers. 

Height and Spread of Rhododendron Madame Masson
Rhododendron Madame Masson is a large and slow-growing rhododendron. It grows to a maximum height of two metres and spreads across the same distance over 10-20 years. 

How Hardy Is Rhododendron Madame Masson
This is a hardy and reliable rhododendron that will cope with sub-zero temperatures if its roots are well-drained. It’s rarely bothered by pests. 

How To Use Rhododendron Madame Masson
The beautiful flowers of Madame Masson mean it will fit into a cottage or woodland garden planting scheme. It does get large, so while it suits rock gardens and Japanese style spaces it should be given enough room to grow. You can contain Madame Masson in a large and well-watered pot if planting space is a problem, but ensure it’s well fed and watered throughout the summer months. 
The large size of this white-flowering rhododendron means it creates beautiful dense screens or hedging in sheltered areas. 

How To Care For Rhododendron Madame Masson
Madame Masson prefers dappled to partial shade in moist but well-drained, acidic soil. If your soil is alkaline it won't thrive so add plenty of ericaceous compost to the planting hole and mulch it every year with acid-based compost. 
If grown in a container use ericaceous compost and a rhododendron feed regularly. Avoid planting it too deeply and no deeper than the container it arrives in as rhododendrons prefer shallow planting. 
This rhododendron is a woodland plant so likes shelter from wind and hot sun. Dappled shade works best. 
There’s no need to prune Madame Masson but you can trim the branches in its dormant season to maintain the shape.