Rhododendrons at Attadale: A Living Rainbow in Bloom

Tucked into the wild beauty of the West Highlands, Attadale Gardens is home to a remarkable collection of rhododendrons, a favourite with visitors and gardeners alike. These flowering shrubs put on a breathtaking display in spring, painting the landscape with shades of pink, purple, red, white, and gold.

With over 100 varieties from across the world, our rhododendrons reflect decades of careful planting and passion for this iconic plant. Some are towering, tree-like specimens, others are delicate alpine shrubs, each contributing something unique to the garden's story.

Highlights from the Collection

Here are just a few of the varieties you’ll discover as you wander Attadale's woodland paths and mossy glades:

• Rhododendron arboreum – One of the giants in the garden, this Himalayan native has striking scarlet blooms and was voted among the top favourites.

• Rhododendron Augustinii – Loved for its dreamy, lavender-blue flowers.

• Rhododendron edgeworthii – A smaller, highly scented variety perfect for spotting up close.

• Rhododendron neriiflorum – Deep red and wonderfully rich in colour, it’s one of the most celebrated in our collection.

• Rhododendron yakushinanum koichiro wada – A rare gem with a name as beautiful as its blossom.

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The numbers in brackets on our list (e.g. “(8)” or “(62)”) show how often these plants appeared in global top 100 rhododendron favourites – and you’ll find many of them thriving here at Attadale.

A Global Collection, Rooted in the Highlands

Our rhododendrons come from far and wide – from the cloud forests of China to the rocky slopes of the Himalayas – but they’ve settled in perfectly among Attadale’s dramatic scenery. The moist Highland climate and acidic soil make this the ideal setting for them to flourish.

Each spring, the garden becomes a multi-sensory experience: flowers open in waves, from the early creamy blooms of Rhododendron luteum to the late-flowering elegance of Rhododendron sutchuenense.

What’s Your Favourite?

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a first-time visitor, rhododendrons have a way of capturing the heart. Come see them at their peak in April and May – and let us know which variety speaks to you.

Better yet, bring a sketchbook, a camera, or just a quiet moment – and let the colours and scents of Attadale do the rest.

Full List of Rhododendrons at Attadale

Below is the complete collection as of March 2022. Many of these are rare, hybrid, or historically significant. Come explore them in person and find your own favourite.

Rhododendron arboreum (8)

Rhododendron arboreum var. album

Rhododendron arboreum ssp cinnamomeum

Rhododendron arboreum roseum

Rhododendron auriculatum (16)

Rhododendron arborea

Rhododendron Augustinii (4)

Rhododendron Augustinii ssp chasmanthum

Rhododendron argyrophyllum (62)

Rhododendron bureavii (7)

Rhododendron blue diamond

Rhododendron blue tit

Rhododendron beauty of littleworth

Rhododendron bohlkens snowfire

Rhododendron blue silver

Rhododendron carmen

Rhododendron christopher wren

Rhododendron creeping jenny

Rhododendron curlew

Rhododendron chonoides

Rhododendron cunningham’s white

Rhododendron calostrotum var. calciphyllum

Rhododendron calostrotum ssp keleticum radicons

Rhododendron clipinense (83)

Rhododendron campanulatum (54)

Rhododendron campbelliae

Rhododendron cornubia

Rhododendron campylocarpa hybrid

Rhododendron cinnabarinum (6)

Rhododendron cinnabarinum var royeli

Rhododendron davidsonianum (72)

Rhododendron decorum (30)

Rhododendron degronianum subsp yakushinanum

Rhododendron delicatissima

Rhododendron drakes mountain

Rhododendron edgeworthii (11)

Rhododendron erosum

Rhododendron falconeri (5)

Rhododendron fastigiatum

Rhododendron fortunea

Rhododendron griffithianum (50)

Rhododendron hybrids

Rhododendron hanceanum canton consul

Rhododendron impeditum

Rhododendron irrorata

Rhododendron jacksonii

Rhododendron johnstonianum

Rhododendron kesangiae (39)

Rhododendron Ken janeck

Rhododendron loderii

Rhododendron loderii seedling

Rhododendron luteum (21)

Rhododendron macabeanum (2)

Rhododendron moonshine

Rhododendron morning cloud

Rhododendron muncaster mist

Rhododendron montroseanum (60)

Rhododendron maddeni ssp crassu (19)

Rhododendron Marie stuart

Rhododendron neriiflorum (95)

Rhododendron niveum (22)

Rhododendron niveum aff

Rhododendron oreotrephes (79)

Rhododendron orbiculare (38)

Rhododendron osmar

Rhododendron Palestrina

Rhododendron Pallas

Rhododendron pentanthera

Rhododendron pingianum

Rhododendron praevernum

Rhododendron polar bear (13)

Rhododendron polaris

Rhododendron Princess Anne

Rhododendron phaeochrysum var agglutinatum

Rhododendron Rex arizelum (29)

Rhododendron rubiginosum

Rhododendron sp rubaiyat

Rhododendron rothschildii

Rhododendron racemosum

Rhododendron ramapo

Rhododendron singogrande (10)

Rhododendron sir Charles lemon (26)

Rhododendron sutchuenense geraldii

Rhododendron sutchuenense (94)

Rhododendron snow lady

Rhododendron swift

Rhododendron shamrock

Rhododendron songbird

Rhododendron thomsonii hybrid (15)

Rhododendron tree creeper

Rhododendron triflora

Rhododendron Tom tit

Unknown lepidote

Rhododendron wardii (35)

Rhododendron wallichii

Rhododendron wine and roses

Rhododendron wren

Rhododendron xanthocodon

Rhododendron yakushinanum koichiro wada (1)

Rhododendron yuyks rosy red

Rhododendron yak hybrid

Rhododendron yunnanense (27)

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