Rhododendrons are a popular spring flowering shrub grown in North Carolina nurseries and landscapes.
Generally these plants grow and bloom quite well across the state, particularly in the piedmont and mountain sections. Occasionally diseases can be a problem on rhododendrons in North Carolina. The symptoms of Phytophthora root rot vary with the cultivar. Some cultivars fail to grow or grow very slowly with pale green foliage and may die after several years. Others suddenly wilt and die within a few weeks.