Rhododendrons light up the spring landscape with showy, colorful blooms. They're some of the most gorgeous shrubs around, producing big branches covered in flowers in a wide range of colors.
Rhododendrons light up the spring landscape with showy, colorful blooms. They're some of the most gorgeous shrubs around, producing big branches covered in flowers in a wide range of colors.
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They look beautiful planted in formal rows around a home's foundations or scattered across a yard to naturalize the landscape. Here's what you need to know about growing rhododendrons.
They look beautiful planted in formal rows around a home's foundations or scattered across a yard to naturalize the landscape. Here's what you need to know about growing rhododendrons.
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How to Plant RhododendronBuy plants in 1- or 3-gallon pots from a nursery. They have shallow root systems, so you'll have better luck with a larger plant.
How to Plant RhododendronBuy plants in 1- or 3-gallon pots from a nursery. They have shallow root systems, so you'll have better luck with a larger plant.
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Plant in spring or early fall. If you plant them in the fall, they'll grow healthier roots out of the gate and be stronger and hardier.
Plant in spring or early fall. If you plant them in the fall, they'll grow healthier roots out of the gate and be stronger and hardier.
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Soil should be well-drained, moist, and acidic (pH 4.5 to 6). Rhododendrons don't do well in heavy soils that drain poorly. No clay.
Soil should be well-drained, moist, and acidic (pH 4.5 to 6). Rhododendrons don't do well in heavy soils that drain poorly. No clay.
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Amend the soil. Add organic material like composted cow manure, chopped leaves or compost from your compost bin.
Amend the soil. Add organic material like composted cow manure, chopped leaves or compost from your compost bin.
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Space plants 2 to 6 feet apart, depending on their mature size. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
Space plants 2 to 6 feet apart, depending on their mature size. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
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Set new plants so the top of their root balls are at soil level. Plant them deeper and the roots may rot. Don't plant deep enough, leaving the roots elevated above ground level where they'll dry out, and the rhody won't thrive.
Set new plants so the top of their root balls are at soil level. Plant them deeper and the roots may rot. Don't plant deep enough, leaving the roots elevated above ground level where they'll dry out, and the rhody won't thrive.