Rhododendron

Rhododendron

• Position: partial shade
• Soil: moist, well-drained, acid soil
• Flowering period: May to June
• Height: 2-3m
• Foliage: evergreen
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Rhododendrons are  highly valued for its large, showy flowers in spring. They are available in a range of heights and with flowers ranging from pink, red, violet, lilac and white.

These shrubs perform best in partial shade, in moist, well-drained, acid soil.

Varieties

Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’

Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’ is grown for its abundant clusters of red, trumpet-shaped flowers which appear in May. It has also attractive, dark evergreen foliage. Expect a height and a spread of 2-3m.

Rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’

Also popular is Rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’ with lovely, white flowers, bearing striking yellow-brown markings in the centre. Height: 2m.

Rhododendron ‘Azurika’

If you are short of space try low-growing dwarf rhododendrons. Good forms are the violet-flowering Rhododendron ‘Azurika’ and Rhododendron ‘Night Sky’ which has violet-blue flowers.

Both shrubs will eventually grow to 50-60cm tall.

Rhododendron ‘Azurika’                        Rhododendron ‘Night Sky’

Pruning

Rhododendrons need little pruning. Remove dead or damaged stems after flowering. Cut them back to about 20cm above the ground, pruning to above a bud.

Deadheading

Deadhead if practicable. Next year’s buds are formed just below the spent flowers. Remove the faded blossom trusses with your fingers.

Planting Rhododendron

Create the right conditions.  Rhododendrons perform best when grown in humus-rich, acid soil. If necessary, add ericaceous compost to the soil before planting.

How to plant Rhododendrons in the ground. The roots of rhododendron grow very near the surface. So don’t plant too deeply. Dig a planting hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.

Feeding

Rhododendron doesn’t like to dry out. Mulch will keep moisture in the soil. Apply a 5cm layer of garden compost or leaf mould around the base of the plant in March.

Rhododendron doesn’t flower

Rhododendron doesn’t produce flowers. Rhododendron starts to develop new flower buds in late summer. If the soil is too dry, the plant may not form new flower buds. So water well from July till the end of September.

Plant combination

Rhododendrons will look good with Acer palmatum, Pieris japonica, Nandina domestica.

Acer pamatum ‘Orange Dream’