Lace bugs are tiny flying insects that suck plant sap out of leaf undersides. You may not notice them until they inflict speckled, white-yellow spots that appear on the tops of leaves. Flip the leaves, and you’ll find bugs with clear wings, black excrement, and holes where they suck. They target many non-native or hybrid evergreen rhododendrons—evergreen leaves give them ample time to rest, reproduce, and eat.
Many azaleas and deciduous rhododendrons drop their leaves in the fall. This helps manage lace bug populations by reducing their food supply. Deciduous shrubs achieve a reset every spring as they sprout fresh leaves without blemishes. Other rhododendrons have two types of fur: indumentum and tomentum. Indumentum is a furry coating on leaf undersides, while tomentum occurs on leaf tops. The American Rhododendron Society says this fuzz blocks lace bugs from reaching tender, fleshy leaves.
If existing rhododendrons experience extensive insect damage, consider trying one of these resistant varieties. If you’re new to rhododendron gardening, starting with these types facilitates easy cultivation. There’s a variety for you no matter where you are on your gardening journey! Without further ado, here are 19 gorgeous lace bug-resistant rhododendrons.
‘Alice’
‘Alice’ blooms delicate pink-blush blossoms in clusters. They erupt in late winter through early summer, covering plants in pink-white hues. They contrast with the lush green of this cultivar’s leaves, making for a spectacular show in your garden.
‘Alice’ resists lace bugs with strong, waxy leaves. These thick coverings make it difficult for lace bugs to penetrate with their piercing mouthparts. They’ll fly off to a different host in search of food and shelter. Choose ‘Alice’ if you want a manageable evergreen rhododendron without spotty lace bug damage.
This type doesn’t grow too tall. It typically tops out around six feet and takes to shape pruning well. Find it online from rhododendron specialty retailers, or look to local nurseries where these shrubs are common.
Arboreum
This wild rhodie grows to epic heights in its native range of southeast Asia. The species occupies scraggy hillsides and mountain slopes in forests throughout the Himalayas. After decades of growing, individuals reach sixty feet tall! Rhododendron arboreum specimens stay much smaller in gardens, topping around 40 feet. They’re also slow-growing, so you won’t have to worry about their gigantic proportions for at least ten to twenty years.
This tree rhododendron tolerates full sun or partial shade, as it naturally grows under direct sunlight. In hotter zones 8 and 9, give your rhodie partial shade. Grant your shrub protection by giving it shade in the afternoon when the sun is most intense. It’ll appreciate regular water during your growing seasons.
R. arboreum sprouts red, pink, or white blossoms. They vary depending on their native range, with some groups exhibiting mixes of the three colors. These flowers sprout in clusters at branch tips. The entire cluster is a “truss” in flower shows. Trusses can have anywhere from 15 to 20 flowers on them! This makes for an impressive show, no matter your garden style.
Argyrophyllum
This rhododendron also reaches giant proportions! It can extend up to 20 feet tall when happy in the landscape. It sprouts fuzzy indumentum on leaf undersides, giving it thick protection from pesky lace bugs. The fuzz is green-white and matches well with the dark green leaf tops.
This type is Rhododendron argyrophyllum botanically. It delights onlookers with pink-white blossoms that nod in clusters. Forest green leaves decorate the trusses, creating an eye-pleasing visual. This rhodie species behaves well with other shade lovers like hostas, western coltsfoot, and Siberian bugloss.
Native to central China, this species grows well in the Pacific Northwest, the East Coast, and some southern regions from plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. It’s common in nurseries, especially rhododendron specialty ones. Flowers vary in color depending on the plant’s source. When you’re shopping, find your favorite color from pink to white.
‘Autumn Twist Encore®’ Azalea
Azaleas are rhododendrons too! They’re in the same genus Rhododendron, although they typically grow smaller than rhodies, with small leaves and flower clusters. Some azaleas, like Exbury azaleas, have huge flower clusters akin to rhododendrons. Autumn Twist® azaleas sprout three-inch long flowers with white-pink stripes. They’re stunning and modern—they charm cottage gardens, moon gardens, and ornamental landscapes.
Although the flowers are stunning, their leaves stand out in landscapes long after the blooms disappear. They arrange themselves in a spiral around stems and grow a deep green. Their fuzzy hairs offer protection from native and invasive lace bugs.
Find this azalea online. Retailers often carry this variety as new cultivars are in high demand. Autumn Twist® appreciates varying sun conditions, from full sun to dappled shade. Give additional water to shrubs in full sun, as they’ll be thirsty after hot days.
Callimorphum
Rhododendron callimorphum is a species cultivar that naturally grows in parts of China. They’re dwarf in stature, topping out at four feet after a decade of growth. Their light pink bell-shaped blossoms stand out in landscapes, and their round, thick leaves are unique from other varieties.
This type needs good drainage to survive. It’ll struggle in clay soils unless you amend them with plenty of organic matter, like compost. Rhodies need fresh, decaying nutrition alongside drainage so they can create hundreds of blooms annually.
Find this type available online. Many growers sell seeds, and some start plants, so you don’t have to. Rhododendron seeds are sometimes difficult to germinate—find potted plants for easy transplanting.
‘Daphnoides’
I love this variety—it lacks fuzzy tomentum or indumentum but still retains strong lace bug resilience. Round, short leaves decorate light purple flowers. ‘Daphnoides’ is not quite as showy as other rhodies, but its not-in-your-face nature makes it a perfect candidate for mass plantings or for decorating shady gardens.
This type is hardier than most other species; it survives freezes to -15°F (-26°C). Use ‘Daphnoides’ throughout zones 5 through 8—zone 4 may be too cold, although you can try helping plants through winter with a thick layer of mulch piled around their base. Give them more compost or organic mulch during the growing season, and you’ll further bolster their lace bug resistance. Happy plants are resilient ones!
Find ‘Daphnoides’ at rhododendron nurseries online or in person. Its small stature allows it to fit under tree rhododendrons. Layer different types like ‘Daphnoides’ and Rhododendron arboreum together for a spectacular spring flower display.
‘Fabia’
Peach-orange nodding flowers erupt from ‘Fabia’ buds when the weather warms in spring. Its small stature and wide reach are useful for borders or hedges, where their branches can twist and gnarl over time. It tolerates some direct sunlight but needs more water than in bright shade. Direct sunlight causes these shrubs to grow low and dense, while shadier conditions make them reach taller, with more gnarled branches.
Use ‘Fabia’ from zones 7 through 9 for best results. This variety appreciates humidity and moisture and might suffer in warm summer gardens throughout zone 9. Give these plants afternoon shade, and ensure their soil stays moist during droughts or heat waves.
Find ‘Fabia’ at specialty plant stores, or look online. This cultivar is still common, as its bright orange flowers are prize-winning globally. Its fuzzy orange indumentum protects the leaves from pesky lace bugs.
‘Fabia Tangerine’
This is another selection of ‘Fabia’ with the same rhododendron parentage R. dichroanthum x griersonianum. This hybrid blooms trusses of multicolor flowers. The flowers’ orange edges with yellow-pink centers stand out in fresh bouquets and garden landscapes. Use this variety instead of ‘Fabia’ if you prefer showy, eye-popping blossoms over natural, simple ones.
Most rhododendrons, including ‘Fabia Tangerine,’ appreciate acidic soils with a pH level between 4.5 and 6.0. They need consistent moisture during the growing season and benefit from decaying organic matter in your soil. Add compost or organic mulch over time to create the perfect home for your shrub.
Like ‘Fabia,’ this variety grows indumentum on the bottom of its leaves. It offers a protective layer between your shrub and the leaf-sucking lace bugs. Don’t rub the fuzz off if you notice it, as it’s part of this variety’s natural defense mechanisms.
‘Golden Gate’
Although this is a dwarf rhododendron, it makes a huge impact growing in your landscape! This type’s blossoms are more pink than ‘Fabia,’ and have light orange centers. ‘Golden Gate’ leaves lack indumentum, although they sprout thick, evergreen coatings that offer lace bug resistance. They’re stronger when well watered, so ensure your shrubs receive regular water.
Dwarf rhododendrons sport medium-sized leaves, between two to four inches long. Their trusses are large for such small plants, and they decorate the branches like pom poms throughout spring. Situate ‘Golden Gate’ in full sun or partial shade, giving it more water the more direct sunlight it receives.
I love this variety and have two slowly growing in partial shade. Find one for your landscape at rhododendron specialty retailers, nurseries, and growers. Sometimes, rhodie enthusiasts share cuttings of their plants. Join an organization like the American Rhododendron Society to meet like-minded flower lovers; they have chapters throughout the United States.
Insigne
Species rhododendron, R. insigne, is a charming type with large, stocky growth. Native to parts of China, this shrub or small tree sprouts fuzzy, golden indumentum on leaf undersides. This protects each leaf from pest invaders, ensuring your rhodie blooms annually without fail.
This species originates on high-elevation forests and mountainsides. Its white-pink blooms form clusters of a dozen or more on trusses throughout the shrub. Large, four to five-inch-long leaves decorate the flowers below the trusses, creating a pleasing look in any shade garden.
Plant R. insigne in shade with average water. You can grow it in full sun, although it’ll need more water than shade-grown plants. Full-sun ones will grow stocky, short, and dense with flower clusters.
‘Mardi Gras’
‘Mardi Gras’ brings the party to your landscape! This rhodie variety sports delicate trusses with pink-white blooms. Leaves grow an attractive maroon-brown coating of indumentum on their undersides, protecting them from lace bugs. Use this medium-sized shrub anywhere you can fit in your shady garden.
‘Mardi Gras’ handles all-day filtered sunlight well but needs only two to four hours of direct sunlight. Situate it in partial or full shade with dappled sunlight, and it’ll produce clusters of blooms annually without fail.
This type is a popular variety and is still widely available in North America. Once you find one and plant it, give ‘Mardi Gras’ regular water, well-draining soil, and acidic organic fertilizer once a year.
Mountain Azalea
This southern U.S. native azalea thrives with little additional care in its native range. It spreads and reaches 15 feet tall in the wild! It’ll stay between six and eight feet in your garden. These blossoms have elongated stamens and pistils with a tubular base. Their bright pink-white color combination attracts hummingbirds by the dozens.
Mountain azalea is deciduous and forms white protective hairs on leaf undersides. This defense duo presents significant challenges for lace bugs, who will fly off pursuing other tender rhododendrons. Grow mountain azalea in full sun or shade; the more light shrubs receive, the more blooms they’ll sprout.
Find mountain azalea seeds or plants at native plant nurseries or online. This native azalea species is growing in popularity for garden use—become a part of the trend and plant one today!
Pacific Rhododendron
This West Coast native rhododendron is stunning in the wild. It forms curly, twisted branches that thicken over decades. In shady areas, they’ll form tall, sparse trees. Look for them at forest edges, roadsides, and bright forests throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’ll grow outside its native range from hardiness zones 6 through 9.
Pacific rhododendrons stay smaller in full sun, between six and ten feet tall. Their pink-white blossoms attract West Coast native pollinating insects. The leaves are thick and waxy, and offer superb protection from lace bug infestations. Healthy plants are always more resistant to insects than hurting ones. Keep your shrub well-watered and pruned, and it’ll thwart dangerous lace bugs.
Pacific rhododendrons are highly adaptable, although they struggle to handle dry heat and clay soil. Keep your shrubs moist, well-lit, and rooting in free-draining soil. They’ll reward you with huge flower clusters and giant, evergreen leaves.
Racemosum
Small, lance-shaped leaves decorate woody stems on this rhododendron—atop the stems lie big clusters of translucent pink flowers. The evergreen leaves have many fine hairs that protect this species from lace bugs. It’s a unique lace bug-resistant species you’ll want in your garden, especially if you collect rhododendrons.
With age, Rhododendron racemosum stems grow heavy with blooms, bending low to the ground. The plant spreads in this way, forming dense, small hedges. Brighten your shade garden with their flowers, as they shine and attract bees and beneficial bugs.
Find R. racemosum seeds online, or look for potted plants at local retailers. This rare cultivar is from China and may be hard to find in North America, but it’s well worth the search!
Scabrifolium
A rare species cultivar, Rhododendron scabrifolium grows naturally in China. It’s hard to find in the U.S., although not impossible. As it is a species rhododendron, you can sprout it from seeds, and it’ll grow true to type. You may also use potted plants if you find them.
This variety blooms purple-lilac blooms that are smaller than most other species. Clusters of four or five form the truss—they sprout off branch tips. With reddish stems, evergreen leaves, and lilac flowers, R. scabrifolium is a must-have in the rhododendron species collector’s garden.
This species lacks indumentum on the leaves, but it grows hairy coatings instead. These work like soft indumentum, blocking lace bugs from reaching the fleshy leaves.
‘The Honourable Jean Marie de Montague’
‘The Honourable Jean Marie de Montague,’ or ‘Jean Marie’ for short, is a longtime favorite rhododendron throughout the world. Its lush, deep-red flower trusses frequently win competitions, and they contrast beautifully with its bright green leaves. ‘Jean Marie’ tolerates some sun, but exposure under six hours of direct sunlight ensures optimal growth.
‘Jean Marie’ doesn’t grow very tall, staying under six feet; it does, however, spread wide in all directions. A single shrub can become a windbreak or privacy screen in maturity. Rhododendrons are slow growers, so you’d have to wait a long time for this variety to reach maturity.
Find ‘Jean Marie’ at any retailer selling rhododendrons. This red-hued variety is popular throughout the U.S. in hardiness zones 6 through 9.
Western Azalea
Like Pacific rhododendrons, western azaleas are native shrubs of the Pacific Northwest and West Coast. They’re deciduous, losing all their thin, hairy leaves as cold weather arrives with winter. Western azaleas are famous for their flower variability, as different populations exhibit unique color combinations. They range from pink, white, yellow, and orange, and most are a range of all four!
Western azalea is also a good candidate to grow in a large container. It prevents lace bug damage by keeping populations from overwintering. If leaves do have some lace bugs on them, they’ll fall to the ground as autumn approaches. Winter wet and cold kill these tender insects and their eggs when they can’t shelter on rhodie leaves.
Use western azalea or any other deciduous rhododendron for foolproof lace bug resistance. This type grows almost as large as mature Pacific rhododendrons, reaching 15 feet in adulthood. They’re wide, too—give them ample room to spread in your landscape.
‘White Pearl’
‘White Pearl’ is a must-have rhododendron cultivar. Its trusses hold a dozen flowers perfectly arranged in clusters. The blossoms are white with red or pink spotting, and they bloom in an open shape. You’ll see them open up from late summer through early winter. This variety holds onto its flowers while all other cultivars open theirs in spring. Its unique fall flowering time makes it a standout in any late summer shade garden.
‘White Pearl’ protects itself with thick, glossy green leaves. They resist puncturing with their waxy coating. Lace bugs may try and eat the leaves, although they’ll quickly vanish after discovering how tough they are. Plant ‘White Pearl’ with ‘Pink Pearl,’ a similar pinkish variety, for a lace bug-resistant color duo unlike any other.
Find this variety online from specialty shrub retailers. This is a favorite type, so it may be hard to find or expensive. Smaller plants are cheaper, and you get to see them grow up! Select the best size for your garden and price range.
Wiltonii
Rhododendron wiltonii surprises growers with its beet-red furry leaf undersides. They contrast with the deep green of the leaf tops and the all-white flower trusses that erupt in spring. With green, white, and red, this shrub is pleasing to look at throughout shady gardens.
Although it reaches 16 feet high in natural areas of China, it’ll take at least 10 years to grow three feet in your garden! Extremely slow-growing, R. wiltonii fits in amongst other plants like andromedas, weigelas, and hellebores. Give it full sun or partial shade, and plenty of space above so it can reach up high.
This cultivar uses its red indumentum to protect itself from lace bug damage. It has built-in resistance to this insect pest, meaning all you must do is prune, water, and fertilize your shrub to keep it happy.
