Is Carolina Rhododendron deer resistant?

About Carolina Rhododendron

A smaller-leaved native rhododendron, more compact and slightly more heat-tolerant than catawba. Like all rhododendrons it is browsed in winter when the evergreen leaves are among the few things available. Needs sharply drained acid soil despite wanting moisture, which is why so many die in clay.

Deer-resistant alternatives to Carolina Rhododendron

Same plant type, hardy in the same zones, but rated better on the Rutgers scale. If Carolina Rhododendron keeps getting eaten, these go in the same spot.

• Arrowwood ViburnumViburnum dentatumZones 2–8Rarely damaged
• BarberryBerberis sp.Zones 4–8, genus rangeRarely damaged
• BoxwoodBuxus sempervirensZones 5–8Rarely damaged
• DaphneDaphne sp.Zones 4–8, genus rangeRarely damaged
• Devil's Walking StickAralia spinosaZones 4–9Rarely damaged
• Fragrant SumacRhus aromaticaZones 3–9Rarely damaged

Similar to Carolina Rhododendron

Other shrubs with the same deer rating.

• Bigleaf HydrangeaHydrangea macrophyllaZones 6–11Occasionally damaged
• Bloodtwig DogwoodCornus sanguineaZones 5–7Occasionally damaged
• Blue HollyIlex x meserveaeZones 5–7Occasionally damaged
• Catawba RhododendronRhododendron catawbienseZones 4–8Occasionally damaged
• Chinese LilacSyringa x chinensisZones 3–7Occasionally damaged
• Deciduous AzaleaRhododendron sp.Zones 5–8, genus rangeOccasionally damaged

Protecting Carolina Rhododendron

Whether this survives comes down to local pressure, so it is worth knowing the options before it gets browsed rather than after.

• How tall a deer fence needs to beEight feet, and six is the most common expensive mistake in deer fencing.
• Repellent that actually worksThe egg-based recipe that reproduces the active ingredient in the commercial sprays that win university trials.
• Check it is actually deerDeer tear and leave a ragged stub. A clean 45-degree cut is rabbits, and slug holes get blamed on deer constantly.

Where Carolina Rhododendron grows

Hardy across most of these 49 states on zone range alone. Mountain and coastal areas sit outside the ranges used here, so check your own zone before ordering.

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• New York
• Connecticutnative
• Massachusettsnative
• Virginia
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Wisconsin
• Ohio
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolinanative
• Tennesseenative
• Georgia
• Texas
• Colorado
• California
• Oregon
• Washington
• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• Maine
• Rhode Island
• Delaware
• West Virginia
• Kentucky
• South Carolinanative
• Florida
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Louisiana
• Arkansas
• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• South Dakota
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Idaho
• Utah
• Nevada
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Alaska
• District of Columbia

Highlighted states are within its native range according to the USDA PLANTS database, where it is native to 5 US states in total.

Browse from here

Every list Carolina Rhododendron belongs to.

• All shrubs
• Sometimes destroyed
• Part shade plants

Hardy in these zones

• Zone 5
• Zone 6
• Zone 7
• Zone 8

Common questions about Carolina Rhododendron

Is Carolina Rhododendron deer resistant?

Carolina Rhododendron (Rhododendron carolinianum) is rated Occasionally Severely Damaged on the Rutgers NJAES four-tier scale. Browsed where deer pressure is high. Protect it.

What hardiness zones does Carolina Rhododendron grow in?

Carolina Rhododendron is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. Outside that range it will either not survive winter or will struggle with summer heat.

Does Carolina Rhododendron grow in shade?

Yes. Carolina Rhododendron tolerates part shade, which makes it one of the options for a shaded bed where deer also browse.

How big does Carolina Rhododendron get?

Mature height is roughly 36–72 in. Growth rate is slow.

Is Carolina Rhododendron toxic to dogs or cats?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Carolina Rhododendron as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Site it away from where animals graze, or choose something else if you have a dog that chews.