This evergreen spring flowering shrub grows to 4 feet in size when provided partial shade and moderate moisture conditions. It produces domes of slightly fragrant bright pink flowers in spring and is graced with bright red foliage with the onset of winter temperatures. Like other Rhododendron species, it needs an acidic soil pH. Acidic pH is not a characteristic of most Chicago area soils so care must be taken to incorporate peat into the soils, top dress with granulated sulfur, and fertilize with liquid products identified as appropriate for Rhododendron and other acidic-loving plants. The root system is comprised of a dense network of fine feeder roots in the top couple of inches of the soil and is easily damaged. Use permanent groundcovers and bulbs that naturalize in order to minimize the amount of disruption of the root system.