RhododendronRhododendron is a large family of shrub. There are over 900 species, with a wide range of color, leaf size and shape. They are large and small, deciduous and evergreen. sizes from 8 to 80 inches.
Rhododendrons flower late Winter to midsummer. This shade gardening plant requires a moist acid soil and dose best in zones 2 through 8. Protection from winter sun and wind is important.This shrub has shallow roots, you'll need to be careful when digging around them. Rapid freezing and thawing can be hard on them, so add about 3 inches of mulch. This will protect them in Winter and keep their roots cool and moist in Summer. You will be able to tell when your soil is less acidic than optimal if you see leaves turning yellow while the veins are still green.
Soil preparation to acidify your soil, if necessary, is to prepare your own soil mixture. Use 1/4 soil add to that 1/2 organic matter (peat moss, oak leaves, mulched, cedar or pine chips and 1/4 clean sand will do the trick. I would also add some slow release fertilizer, made for acid loving plants, in there at this time.Avoid manure as it is high in salts. Over feeding is a bigger problem than under feeding, less is better. Besides, you are starting out with a good mixture of soil, and adding a good mulch twice a year should be just about right. If you have a heavy clay soil you can use a raised bed technique.Mound the soil 6 to 8 inches above the clay, this will allow for necessary drainage.
These shallow rooted shade shrubs can't tolerate drought for very long. Water during a dry spell and keep 3 inches of mulch as mentioned above. Grooming your rhododendron consists of dead heading the spent flower heads. This will allow this shade gardening plant to use its energy to produce flowers and leaves for next Spring.Simply hold the branch with one hand and break off the spent flower with the other hand. Be careful not to damage the new growth. Here are a few more photographs.
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