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red rhododendron bush

Welcome to your ultimate guide for choosing and growing a striking red rhododendron bush. Known for their luscious, show-stopping blooms, red rhododendrons create an unforgettable focal point in any New Zealand garden. These evergreen shrubs not only deliver vibrant colour in spring but also maintain handsome foliage year-round, making them a favourite among garden enthusiasts. If you’re looking to transform a dull border, create privacy screening, or bring life to a shaded spot, the red rhododendron bush is an excellent choice for your landscape.

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Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red'

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' is a vibrant evergreen azalea admired for its rich red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The bold blooms sit above glossy green foliage and create a striking display in New Zealand gardens. This compact shrub is perfect for bringing strong seasonal colour to shaded borders and sheltered garden spaces.

From $32.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.

Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an extended period, it brings strong colour and movement to NZ gardens while attracting butterflies and beneficial insects. This vigorous and reliable variety performs well across a wide range of climates.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.80 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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Rhododendron Vireya 'Coral Flare'

Rhododendron Vireya 'Coral Flare' is a spectacular tropical rhododendron admired for its vibrant coral coloured flowers and glossy evergreen foliage...

From$37.19
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Photinia 'Super Red' (Red Robin)

Photinia 'Super Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vibrant red new growth that contrasts beautifully with mature green foliage. This...

From$18.95
Rhododendron 'Kaponga' red flowers.
Rhododendron 'Kaponga'

Rhododendron 'Kaponga' is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its impressive spring flowering display and lush dark green foliage. The vibrant...

From$28.91
Leptospermum 'Electric Red' plant with red flowers.
Leptospermum 'Electric Red'

Leptospermum 'Electric Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vivid red flowers that create a bold and eye catching display in spring. The...

From$27.53
azalea-red-wings-
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$18.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
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Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$27.53
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Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

From$27.53
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

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Leucothoe 'Curly Red'

Leucothoe 'Curly Red' is a striking evergreen shrub grown for its uniquely twisted foliage that emerges rich red before maturing to glossy green...

From$26.15
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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

From$27.53
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
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Rhododendron 'Black Magic'

Rhododendron 'Black Magic' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich, dramatic flowers and glossy dark green foliage. During spring, the...

From$28.91
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$11.95
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' plant in a pot with stunning red flowers and lush, purple-green foliage.
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red'

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' is a bold and dramatic deciduous shrub admired for its deep red mophead flowers set against dark stems and rich green foliage...

From$27.95
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
camellia-roma-red-
Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
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Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$28.91
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

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Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
Hypoestes 'Splash Red' plant with colourful red folaige.
Hypoestes 'Splash Red'

Hypoestes 'Splash Red' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its bright green leaves boldly splashed with deep red markings. This compact and...

From$26.15
Rhododendron 'Just Peachy' elegant flowers above lush, dark green foliage.
Rhododendron Vireya 'Just Peachy'

Vireya Rhododendron ‘Just Peachy’ is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its soft peach toned flowers and glossy green foliage. Well suited to...

From$28.91
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$20.63
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Rhododendron 'Mt Everest'

Rhododendron 'Mt Everest' is a magnificent evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and lush dark green foliage. During spring...

From$64.79
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
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Rhododendron 'Gwenevere'

Rhododendron 'Gwenevere' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its elegant flowers and lush dark green foliage. During spring, the blooms create...

From$28.91
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Rhododendron Vireya 'Butterscotch'

Rhododendron Vireya 'Butterscotch' is a beautiful tropical rhododendron admired for its warm coloured flowers and glossy evergreen foliage. The...

From$28.91
Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Azalea, Buddleia, and Callistemon, or related Categories - Grasses, Deciduous Shrubs, and Evergreen Azaleas.

Search red rhododendron bush

Why Choose a Red Rhododendron Bush?

A red rhododendron bush is celebrated for its bold colour and lush, layered petals. The deep green leaves serve as a beautiful contrast, highlighting each crimson bloom. These showstoppers are perfect for woodland gardens, foundation planting, or as specimen shrubs. Red varieties, such as Rhododendron Rubicon, are especially prized for their intense shade and impressive flower trusses.

Top Red Rhododendron Varieties for NZ Gardens

Selecting the right red rhododendron bush starts with the ideal variety. For dramatic, tropical flair, consider Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain, which thrives in milder regions and offers stunning red blooms with an exotic look. For a classic, robust option, Rhododendron Rubicon delivers rich, velvety red flowers on a hardy bush. Both varieties promise reliable performance in New Zealand conditions with proper care.

If you appreciate variety in your shrub borders, complement red rhododendrons with partners like Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' or the autumn-changing Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red for contrasting textures and foliage colours. For those who love warmer tones, Rhododendron Vireya Coral Flare offers a coral red twist that pairs well with deep reds.

How to Plant and Care for Red Rhododendron Bushes

Growing a red rhododendron bush is straightforward with the right conditions. Rhododendrons prefer partial shade and thrive in acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Avoid planting them where roots might sit in waterlogged soil. To maximise blooms, mulch with pine bark or leaf mould, keep the roots cool, and water regularly during dry spells.

Regular pruning is seldom needed, but removing spent blooms (deadheading) encourages healthy, vigorous growth. When planting multiple bushes, space them well to ensure good air circulation and showcase each plant’s full glory.

Red Rhododendron Bush for Every Garden

Whether you’re transforming a contemporary outdoor space or enhancing a cottage garden, the red rhododendron bush offers versatility and enduring beauty. With stunning options like Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain and Rhododendron Rubicon, your garden can be a tapestry of vibrant reds year after year. Don’t hesitate to pair these with companion shrubs including Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' or Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red to create a dynamic landscape that offers colour, structure, and seasonal interest.

Explore our range of rhododendrons and find the perfect red rhododendron bush to elevate your garden today.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Celebrate your favourites like Lomandra Frosty Tops and Rhododendron 'Scented Sun', then branch out with Hemerocallis Kents Favourite (Kents Favourite Daylily), Liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy', and Carex comans Bronze.
–The Plant Company

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