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small red rhododendron

The small red rhododendron is a timeless favourite in New Zealand gardens, prized for its compact form and eye-catching crimson blooms. Whether you're looking to brighten up a border, add a burst of colour to a shaded spot, or select a statement shrub for containers, a small red rhododendron offers vibrant, long-lasting appeal with surprisingly little fuss. With their glorious clusters of bold red flowers and glossy evergreen leaves, these shrubs promise months of interest and are well suited to both traditional cottage gardens and more contemporary outdoor spaces.

Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

5 from 1 customers

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree performs exceptionally well in New Zealand gardens and is ideal for feature planting in small spaces. Its rich colour holds well through spring and summer before deepening further in autumn.

From $299.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.50 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' specimen tree with masses of pink flowers in late winter.

Cornus 'Cherokee Chief'

Cornus 'Cherokee Chief' is a small, deciduous tree grown for its impressive flowering and attractive form. Masses of rose-red flowers are borne in spring just as the new foliage begins to emerge.

From $279.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Callistemon 'Red Alert' shrub in a garden.
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
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...

From$249.95
A dense Escallonia 'Red Dream' shrub with lush green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Dream'

Escallonia 'Red Dream' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
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
Leptospermum 'Red Falls' plant with red flowers and dark green-purple coloured leaves.
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
leptospermum-red-damask--1
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
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
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
Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' bright red foliage.
Acer 'Fireglow'

Acer 'Fireglow' is a striking Japanese maple prized for its brilliant deep red foliage that holds colour exceptionally well throughout the season...

From$349.95
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$39.95
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
Pseudowintera colorata colourful foliage.
Pseudowintera colorata

Pseudowintera colorata, commonly known as Mountain Horopito, is a NZ native shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth has dominant red tones...

From$387.55
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
acer-red-sunset-2
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
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
Ribes 'Gloria de Versailles' (red currant) fruit hanging on a shrub.
Ribes 'Gloria de Versailles'

Ribes 'Gloria de Versailles' (Red Currant) is a productive fruiting shrub that suits NZ gardens beautifully. It produces generous clusters of bright...

From$34.43
Azalea 'Red Wings' stunning red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
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$26.95
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...

From$27.53
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
grevillea-red-clusters-4
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$24.95
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...

From$18.95
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
acer-rubrum-1
Acer rubrum

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a magnificent deciduous tree renowned for its outstanding autumn colour and graceful growth habit. The fresh green foliage...

From$349.95
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$34.95
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry) tree with masses of black berries.
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry)

Aristotelia serrata, commonly known as Wineberry or Makomako, is a fast-growing, deciduous native tree of New Zealand. It features serrated green...

From$22.01
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' white flowers held on trailing stems.
Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a deciduous dogwood tree renowned for its impressive spring blossoms and vibrant autumn foliage. This hybrid...

From$349.95
Rhododendron 'Black Magic' stunning, dark red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
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
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Callistemon, and Carex, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, and Evergreen Shrubs.

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Why Choose a Small Red Rhododendron?

A small red rhododendron stands out for its lush colour and manageable size, making it easy to find a suitable spot in almost any garden. Its size makes it ideal for smaller urban gardens or for mass planting alongside other acid-loving plants. Many varieties, like the sought-after Rhododendron Rubicon, are renowned for their deep, velvety red flowers and neat, bushy growth, requiring minimal pruning to keep their attractive shape. Rhododendrons thrive in partial shade and prefer well-drained, humus-rich soil, making them perfect for planting beneath established trees or as an anchor plant in shaded beds.

Top Varieties of Small Red Rhododendron

For those captivated by red blooms, a few top picks from our range include:

If you love the effect of vibrant shrub borders, consider mixing your small red rhododendrons with contrasting foliage, such as the striking Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, or pairing with other vireya rhododendrons like Rhododendron Vireya Coral Flare for a tropical look.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant your small red rhododendron in a spot with dappled sunlight and shelter from harsh winds. They thrive in acidic, free-draining soils rich in organic matter; a mulch of pine bark or leaf mould helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly in the first season, allowing the roots to establish firmly. Rhododendrons are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional feeding with a specialist azalea/rhododendron fertiliser and dead-heading to encourage more blooms in spring.

Creating Impact With Small Red Rhododendrons

Small red rhododendrons are fantastic anchors in mixed shrub borders, woodland gardens, or as specimen plants near entrances or patios. Their compact form means they won’t outgrow their welcome, and their vivid flowers create beautiful focal points that attract native birds and pollinators. Try layering with other acid-loving companions for a lush, structured effect all year round.

Find your ideal small red rhododendron from our handpicked collection and bring a bold pop of colour to your garden that will delight for seasons to come.

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.
Gardenia radicans and Lomandra 'Tanika' are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Brachyglottis 'Otari Cloud', Senecio serpens, and Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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