Rhododendron ‘Augustinii Medlicott’ is a captivating evergreen shrub with an upright habit, reaching up to 2 meters tall. Its delicate, lance-shaped green leaves are unique, with the undersides covered in golden or brown scales. In winter, the leaves take on a deep bronze hue, transforming almost overnight into a vibrant green as the weather warms.

This rhododendron is often mistaken for an azalea due to its small leaves, comparable to the size of a fingernail. Its charming blue-mauve flowers with a green throat bloom in clusters during October, covering the plant in vibrant color.

Native to Central and Western China, this variety thrives in well-drained, moist, acidic soil and prefers a sunny position with partial shade. With its beautiful foliage and stunning blooms, ‘Augustinii Medlicott’ is a delightful choice for adding year-round interest to your garden.

When you purchase a rhododendron, you will receive a well-established four-year-old plant grown in a 6L pot, with a strong root system and often developing flower buds, ready to settle in and thrive in your garden.

To help you plan for the plant’s eventual scale, the mature heights listed in the Product Information are estimated 10-year sizes from the time of planting. For more detail, please refer to our Size Guide in the FAQs.

Learn More: Size Guide

All our rhododendrons are grown in pots, so you can plant them anytime, though autumn is ideal for encouraging strong root growth. Find the right spot based on your chosen rhodo, improve the soil generously with organic matter, gently tease out the roots, and plant shallow at or just below the original soil level. Finally, mulch well and water thoroughly to help your plant establish.

Read more here | Planting & Soil Preparation Guide

Rhododendrons are rewarding and easy to grow once their basics are right — most issues come down to watering, drainage, or planting depth. Follow our planting guide for a great start, prune as needed, mulch annually to keep roots cool, and feed lightly in spring for a spectacular bloom later in the year.

Keep an eye out for common issues like powdery mildew or thrip, and address them promptly. We have plenty of information on caring for your rhododendron, and if you can’t find what you need, we’re always happy to talk all things Rhodos. Find a full overview in our General Care Guide (link below).

Read More: General Care Guide

We provide local delivery within Christchurch and ship nationwide via Post Haste, with all shipping costs calculated at checkout. Plants are carefully packed in sturdy banana boxes, and shipping is calculated based on this packaging. To maximise value, orders of 2–4 plants (up to 4 plants per box) are usually the most economical. Orders are dispatched Monday to Wednesday to avoid weekend delays.

Larger orders (10+ plants) may be sent via our bulk transport partner, Rockeater, for a cost-effective solution.

Every order is packed with care to arrive in excellent condition and ready to thrive. For full details, see our Shipping FAQs.

Learn More: Shipping Information