Rhododendron Full Shade. However if given enough shade they are also drought tolerant. With rhododendrons the rule of thumb is that the larger the leaf the less sun they can handle gracefully.
Rhododendrons will grow nicely in full sun to moderate shade. With rhododendrons the rule of thumb is that the larger the leaf the less sun they can handle gracefully. The rhododendrons set the flower buds for the next year in summer.
However if given enough shade they are also drought tolerant.
Often you see rhododendrons described as shade loving shrubs but the ideal situation for most of them is partial shade. To provide rhododendrons with light shade plant them adjacent to the trees and taller shrubs. Too much afternoon sun can burn the leaves and spoil the blossoms. Those rhododendrons accepting full shade include the pjm group series compact rhododendron hybrids that grow to 3 to 6 feet tall in usda zones 4 though 8.