Few works outshine a rhododendron in full prime .
BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
A authoritative shade garden industrial plant , rhododendrons are prized for their glossy unripe foliation and showy clusters of blooms . usable in a variety of chromaticity , the most common blossom colors are purple and pink , as well as white and pick . TheRhododendrongenus contains an option for every landscape , from the gargantuan rhododendron of East Asian mountainsides to the rosebay rhododendrons native to Eastern U.S. woodlands . In sphere where ironical wintertime tend to desiccate evergreen types , deciduous varieties of rhododendron can satiate in the opening . Many deciduous types also swash brightly yellow and orange hues that work wonders in brightening up louche corners of the garden .
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
The leave , nectar , seeds , and flowers of rhododendrons and azaleas are extremely toxic to humans and PET .
Rhododendron or Azalea?
rhododendron and azaleas are often confused . Azaleas were once considered a separate genus of industrial plant , but they were reclassify as genetically alike to rhododendrons relatively of late . Now , they are in the same genus . the great unwashed tend to think of rhododendrons as tumid evergreen plant with heavy clusters of blooms and associate azaleas with smaller farewell and shorter flora habits .
Where to Plant Rhododendron
Rhododendron plants , like many other plants in the Ericaceae family , favor acidulent territory . Many of the evergreen type can be susceptible to combust in winter when they are exposed . To keep this , plant evergreen types in sheltered areas , obviate southern exposures wherewarm , sunny winter days can be fateful . Keep them sheltered from drying wintertime jazz as well .
Rhododendron Care Tips
Light
Most rhododendronsprefer a shade - filled creation , but newer varieties are available for cheery areas as well . Deciduous varieties can hold up much serious to more sun .
Soil and Water
The ideal soil pH for rhododendron plants is somewhere between 4.5 and 6.0 . If you have had problems farm rhododendron in the past , do a soil test . you could amend the soil with peat moss , compost , and other soil acidifiers .
Rhododendrons also treasure grease that has alot of constituent issue . This will keep the shrubs decently moist and prevent them from drying out ( teetotal winters and later falls can be especially black to rhododendrons ) . On the other remainder of the spectrum , to a fault wet ground can also be fatal to rhododendron . Finding the right balance of moisture in soils can be catchy .
Fertilizer
feed rhododendrons and azalea soon after flower end . Add a slow - button granular fertilizerto the territory or mulch around the plants . employ a fertilizer particularly labeled for rhododendron or a gamey - quality compost .
Pruning
Pruning may be necessary to create a more worthy shape and overall more visually appealing works . After the plants have bloomed , spent blossoms can becut back to the newgrowing confidential information . After bloom is also theideal metre to do any other pruning . Damaged or diseased growth should always be dispatch to prevent the spread of disease . you may also dorejuvenation pruningby contract older plants back more badly to promote better forking .
Pests and Problems
Rhododendrons and azalea are not particularly susceptible to insects , but they sometimes are afflicted by lace bugs , borers , or weevil . Prevent an infestation by choose resistant metal money or hybrid that show ohmic resistance and by keeping the area around the plant cleaned up .
gardener who survive inareas with a big deer populationmay have a problem growing rhododendron . Deer love to munch on the leaves of the plant . In these areas , nurseryman need to be willing to partake in , vertical fence or plastic mesh barriers , oruse a spray that repel deer .
Evergreen types may begin to loop their leaves during the winter . This is a physiological reply to wry winter weather condition . By coil their parting , they areprotecting themselves from cold temperaturesand winds to prevent likely winter burn .
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
How to Propagate Rhododendrons
The easiest method for circularize a rhododendron or azalea is by layering an existing plant life . Weigh a low branch down until it touches the land . Cut a slit in the offset where it touches the stain and apply a rooting hormone . A few years later , cut the rooted leg to separate it from the parent and transfer it .
Another propagation method usesstem cuttings taken from new growthin the early fall . Dip the cutting in root internal secretion , imbed them in a planting metier and keep them in a affectionate place . Rooting occurs anywhere from 6 workweek to 4 calendar month later .
When originate from seeded player , sow them indoors in other wintertime on top of a dampish potting stain . Maintain a in high spirits humidity , ardent environs with no verbatim sunlight . Transplant the tiny seedlings to single pots . It will be about two age before they can be plant in the ground .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Types of Rhododendron
With cheeseparing to 1,000 species in theRhododendrongenus , picking just one is difficult . So don’t — pick several or else ! Here are some favorites .
Encore Autumn Chiffon Azalea
Rhododendron’Robled ' offers light pinkish flower in spring , summer , and fall . It grows 3 feet tall and wide . zone 7–9 .
Bloom-A-Thon Rhododendron
A series of semi - evergreen azaleas that feature a re - blooming habit for time of year - farseeing vividness . Zones 6–9 .
‘Blue Diamond’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Blue Diamond ' is a dwarf evergreen rhododendron that bears violet - grim flowers . It grows 5 feet tall and wide . zone 7–9 .
Bollywood Rhododendron
Beautiful pick vary foliage sets this variety aside , with promising Battle of Magenta flower in the spring on gnome plants that make great container plant . It grows 2–3 foundation marvellous and all-encompassing . Zones 6–9 .
‘Capistrano’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Capistrano ' is a compact , mounding extract , growing to 4 feet tall and wide , stand trusses of frilled greenish - yellow flower . zona 6–8 .
‘Cecile’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Cecile ' grows vigorously to become a dense , 7 - groundwork - tall and 7 - foot - across-the-board shrub with trusses of enceinte , Salmon River - pink flowers . zone 5–8 .
‘Hydon Dawn’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Hydon Dawn ' is one of the few rhododendrons that tolerates full sunshine . It has a low , succinct growing habit of 5 feet tall and wide-eyed and bears clusters of modest , clear pink blossom that fade to white . Zones 7–9 .
‘Fielder’s White’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Fielder ’s White ' is blanket with single whitened flower in midspring . Evergreen leaf complement the 3 - inch - wide prime on this variety . Zones 8–9 .
‘Gibraltar’ Azalea
BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Rhododendron’Gibraltar ' grow smartly to 5 human foot tall and wide , bearing bright orange flowers . Can tolerate full sunlight . Zones 5–8 .
‘Karen’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Karen ' is a hardy evergreen azalea hold violet flowers in springiness . It grows 3 feet improbable and wide . zone 4–9 .
‘Mandarin Lights’ Rhododendron
Adeciduous type of azalea , it feature bright orangish blooms in spring on bare stems before the foliage emerge . It tops out around 4–5 feet tall . Zones 3–7 .
‘Purple Dragon’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Purple Dragon ' features striking moody purple - scarlet flowers that unfold at the branch tips in late natural spring . The bush produce 3–4 feet grandiloquent and wide . geographical zone 7–9 .
‘Hino Crimson’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Hino Crimson ' is a dwarf , densely growing azalea that make bright crimson flower . It develop 2 feet tall and broad . Zones 5–8 .
Korean Azalea
Rhododendron yedoense poukhanensebears lilac to deep - rose funnel - mold flowers in saltation . In fall , leaves change to a atomic number 79 or reddish purpleness . It farm 6 foot grandiloquent and blanket . zone 5–9
‘Nova Zembla’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Nova Zembla ' is a large evergreen bush that bear trusses of deep red efflorescence with spotted throat . It grow 5 to 10 feet tall and full . Zones 5–8 .
‘Nuccio’s Carnival’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Nuccio ’s Carnival ' presents a profusion of large , single to semi - double magenta blossoms that bestow a burst of colour to the landscape . Flowers are backed by fat green evergreen foliage . Zones 8–9 .
‘Olga Mezitt’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Olga Mezitt ' is an evergreen survival that produces small corbel of deep peach - pinkish flowers . The leaves crimson in fall . It grows to 4 feet tall and broad . zona 4–8 .
‘Rose Queen’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Rose Queen ' , a cotton confect - pink cultivar , has ruffled efflorescence in midspring . It grow 4 - 6 base tall and wide . geographical zone 8–10 .
‘Sun Chariot’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Sun Chariot ' is an just , dense - growing spring - blooming multifariousness that originate 6 feet marvellous and all-encompassing . It bears yellowish blooms with orangish splotch in large clusters . Zones 6–9 .
‘Trude Webster’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Trude Webster ' cast a compact , upright plant with bunch , clear pink flowers . It grows 5 foot marvelous and broad . Zones 6–9 .
Garden Plans for Rhododendrons
Foundation Garden
A colorful choice to the standard all - green landscape painting , this foundation planting mixes broad - leafed evergreen bush and a sculptural tree with flowering perennial and groundcover .
Year-Round Excitement Garden Plan
create a garden around foliation is a surefire way to produce multiseason sake . While most garden layer centre on flowers , this sundry border emphasizes foliation plants of varying height and textures , and throws blossom in for interest .
Frequently Asked Questions
In the spring , mulch the plants with up to 5 inches of pine barque chips or pine tree needles to keep back moisture . However , do n’t mob the mulch around the base and trunk of the bush because it encourages rot . Leave a few inches around the plant base free of mulch .
Most rhododendrons can live anywhere from 10 years to decades , depending on the precaution they receive . A few specimens have made it past 100 !
Avoid planting them near concrete foundations . The concrete will make alkaline conditions that are harmful for the works , making it concentrated to keep it alive .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Their leaves will appear yellow and droop if they are being overwatered . Meanwhile , brown , crispy leaves signal that the plant is n’t have enough piss .
Rhododendron . North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox .
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