Rhododendron ‘Sarita Loder’ is a charming broadleaf evergreen shrub that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. This exquisite variety showcases pink and salmon flowers in spring, transforming your garden into a breathtaking waterfall of colour. The flowers are openly funnel-shaped, vivid red or salmon pink with a lighter center, and bloom in loose trusses containing 9 to 11 flowers. The vibrant display is both striking and graceful, making it a true standout in any garden.

Created in the 1930s by the renowned Loder Nursery, this rhododendron is a hybrid of R. griersonianum and the R. Loderi group, a testament to expert breeding and timeless beauty. The plant’s long, pointed, mid-green leaves provide year-round interest, while its upright and open habit adds structure to your garden design. When in full bloom, ‘Sarita Loder’ is a stunning spectacle that exudes classic charm.

This rhododendron thrives in partial shade to mostly sun, preferring evenly moist, acidic, rich, and well-drained soil. It reaches a height of 1.5meters in 10 years, making it a manageable choice for a variety of garden settings.

Parentage: R. griersonianum x R. Loderi group

Whether you’re designing a new garden or enhancing an established one, Rhododendron ‘Sarita Loder’ is a beautiful and versatile choice. Its captivating flowers and elegant form are sure to bring timeless beauty to your outdoor space.

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