Growing Rhododendron Caring For Rhododendrons In The Garden

How to Care for Rhododendron & Azaleas

Mulch plants every spring with 2 to 5 inches of pine bark chips or pine needles to protect shallow roots and retain soil moisture. ...
Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons sparingly and only when flower buds swell in the early spring, even if they are fall bloomers.

Where is the best place to plant a rhododendron?

Unlike many blooming plants, rhododendron does not like full morning sun in winter and does best when planted in dappled shade on the north side of a building. Growing rhododendrons are happiest in a location protected from the wind and not under eves of a building.

Should you cut back rhododendrons?

Rhododendrons don't require much pruning other than the removal of dead wood and deadheading of spent flowers if practical. Only species rhododendrons come true from seed. Named cultivars must be propagated from semi-ripe cuttings, grafting or layering.

When should rhododendrons be pruned?

According to most professional landscapers, the ideal time for pruning rhododendrons is late winter, while the plant is dormant. However, any time between the first frost in fall and the last frost in spring (while the sap is low) will work.

How do I make my soil rhododendron acidic?

If your soil is alkaline, choose compact varieties and grow them in containers in ericaceous compost – reducing soil pH is difficult. The soil needs to be well-drained but rich in acidic organic matter – dig in composted tree bark, leafmould, decomposing conifer needles, or composted bracken.

Are coffee grounds good for rhododendrons?

Fresh Coffee Grounds for Acid-Loving Plants

Your acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, rhododendrons, azaleas, lily of the valley, blueberries, carrots, and radishes can get a boost from fresh grounds. ... Fresh coffee grounds still have most of their caffeine content as well as the acid.

Do rhododendrons like sun or shade?

Most large-leafed varieties require dappled shade; avoid deep shade or full sun. A sunny spot that receives a few hours of shade is perfect. See regional guidelines below. Soil should be well-drained, humus-rich, moist, and acidic (pH 4.5–6).

Can you cut rhododendrons to the ground?

In severe cases, you can sometimes cut your rhododendron to within 6 inches of the ground. Rejuvenation pruning is best used to restore shrubs that have become leggy, overgrown, or otherwise unattractive. ... It's best to perform this type of pruning in winter, while the plant is dormant.

How do you bring a rhododendron back to life?

Water the shrub at least two times a week just enough to soak the area around the root ball of the shrub. Lack of water results in brown leaf tips and the shrub looks like it is dying. Rhododendrons draw water from the leaf's tip first when it senses a water shortage.

What is the best fertilizer for rhododendrons?

You'll want to use a particular fertilizer composition for the different stages of your rhododendron growth. At planting time, use 10-10-6 fertilizer before you water the plant in. In early spring, the rhododendron buds swell. At this time, apply a complete 10-8-6 fertilizer.

What month do you prune?

Spring is the time to do most of your pruning, but the question is, which part of spring? Plants that flower on new wood can be pruned in early spring, just as the new growth begins. This leaves them plenty of time to recover from pruning and still create flower buds that will bloom that season.

How do you prune a rhododendron leggy?

Cutting the Entire Plant

The second type of rejuvenation pruning involves cutting off the trunk of the rhododendron shrub to 6 to 12 inches from the soil. This is both quicker and far more drastic, and some shrubs may not survive it. It is best to make the cut 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch above a healthy bud.

How do I take cuttings from a rhododendron?

On rhododendrons, "wound" the base of cuttings by removing some bark on both sides with a sharp knife. Dip the end of each cutting in a rooting hormone such as Rootone or Dip 'N Grow. Insert the bottom inch of the cutting into container filled with potting medium ( 1/2 Peat, 1/4 Sand, 1/4 Perlite).

What do you add to soil to make it acidic?

One of the easiest ways to make soil more acidic is to add sphagnum peat. This works especially well in small garden areas. Simply add an inch or two (2.5-5 cm.) of peat to the topsoil in and around plants, or during planting.

Do coffee grounds make soil acidic?

Many people feel that coffee grounds lower the pH (or raise the acid level) of soil, which is good for acid loving plants. But this is only true for unwashed coffee grounds. “Fresh coffee grounds are acidic. ... To use coffee grounds as fertilizer, work the coffee grounds into the soil around your plants.

Is Miracle Grow good for rhododendrons?

How to Feed Rhododendrons. A month after planting, begin feeding rhododendrons with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food, which is specially formulated for acid-loving plants. For easy application, consider the Miracle-Gro® Garden Feeder, which lets you feed and water at the same time.

Are eggshells good for rhododendrons?

Crush the shells with your hands, and sprinkle the powder near flowering bushes like rhododendrons and hydrangeas. ... Your plants will thrive from the calcium boost the eggshells provide.

Are banana peels good for the garden?

Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium (abbreviated to its scientific name K), one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium.

Is Epsom salt good for rhododendrons?

Magnesium in the form of Epsom salts is sometimes recommended for rhododendrons. Magnesium is an essential element and lack of it will cause yellowish areas between the leaf veins on older leaves. If the leaves are a solid green the addition of Epsom salts would not be useful.

Is Rhododendron poisonous to dogs?

All parts of the rhododendron plant are toxic for dogs. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset followed by weakness, paralysis, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Are rhododendrons difficult to grow?

Rhododendrons need moist, acid, loose, well-drained soil that contains a good bit of organic matter. This is why they're hard to grow here. Most Southerners have either acid, clay soil or alkaline, clay soil. Rhododendrons hate both, because clay drains slowly and roots rot.

Can rhododendrons grow in full shade?

In fact, all of them need some sun to produce the most profuse flowers, but some need more sun than others. ... Rhododendrons will grow nicely in full sun to moderate shade.