Rhododendron keiskei, commonly known as Keiskei Rhododendron, is an evergreen shrub native to the mountainous regions and forest margins of Japan. It is a compact plant that typically reaches a height of 60 cm (24 in) and a width of up to 1.85 m (6.1 ft), making it suitable for small gardens and rockeries. The elliptic leaves are a deep glossy green, providing year-round interest. In spring, it produces an abundance of pale yellow flowers, each with ten prominent stamens, which are quite showy and attract pollinators.

Keiskei Rhododendron is valued for its small stature, evergreen foliage, and attractive pale yellow blooms. It is often used in rock gardens, as a foundation plant, or in woodland gardens. It requires moist, well-drained, acidic soil and thrives in partial shade, though it can tolerate morning sun. Adequate mulching helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool. The slow-growing cultivar R. keiskei var. ozawae ‘Yaku Fairy’ is particularly noted for its beauty and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot if planted in poorly drained soils and may suffer from pests such as vine weevils and aphids.CC BY-SA 4.0