Check which rhododendron it is – if it’s one that can be cut down, then cut it back a bit.’. Rhododendrons flower from mid-winter to early summer – this pretty pink was in flower when I visited Leonardslee in early June. A fertilizer analysis similar to 6-10-4 applied at 2 pounds per 100 square feet to the soil surface is usually adequate. Perhaps you have a neighbour’s window over-looking your garden?…, Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Disclosure Policy, © 2020 The Middle-Sized Garden - Gardening Blog. They have to grow in an area that is cool - overhanging branches from trees, so that they don't get that hot afternoon sun. Use an ericaceous compost and feed with a fertiliser suitable for acid-loving plants throughout the growing season. This is one of the Loderi rhododendrons, bred a 100 years ago at Leonardslee. Prune rhododendrons and azaleas immediately after flowering. Beautiful spring gardens, small or large, can be created beneath trees by planting these shrubs, along with other shade-tolerant plants like Camellias , Hollies , Yew and Canadian Hemlock , in beds between the trees. ‘It was brought over by the Victorians and planted on big estates as cover for pheasant and grouse shooting. Although rhododendrons have brilliantly coloured flowers, they prefer shade or dappled shade to full sun. This species affords protection to steep watersheds and shelter for wildlife. Stephen says that the Bureavii rhododendrons (Bureau rhododendrons) and the Maddeni rhododendrons come from temperate regions. They have big showy flowers and are highly scented. They will grow in an open area if the sun is not too hot, the soil is sufficiently moist, and there isn't too much exposure to wind. The shade-tolerant rosebay ( Rhododendron maximum) grows wild from Nova Scotia to Georgia. Sometimes this is good advice. Never plant them in sandy or clay soils. Whereas you can enjoy later flowering rhododendrons while you are in your garden. Pruning Rhododendron & Azaleas. maximum and R. minus var. They love growing in hilly areas cause the air is a little bit cooler. Rhododendrons like a semi-shaded area with dappled sunlight. Rhododendrons grow best in acidic soil, says Stephen. There are more than 900 species in the Rhododendron genus, which vary greatly. R. maximum, known as great laurel or rosebay, is well named as it is the largest of the southern rhododendrons, typically growing 6 to 10 feet tall and sometimes reaching 25 feet or more. As well, a collection of pots may not fit well into the style of your garden. Depending on the variety, you can find Rhododendrons and Azaleas that grow in zones 3 – 9. Enrich the soil with some compost and Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser before planting. They need an acid soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0, well mulched with organic material. Don’t plant rhododendrons in frosty weather.’. Then it got out of control and spread everywhere. Re-pot into a larger pot every 2-3 years. Use an ericaceous compost and feed with a fertiliser suitable for acid-loving plants throughout the growing season. Mix in plenty of inorganic matter, and well rotted manure. Stephen identifies the number one cause as ‘not being watered.’. Rhododendron maximum — its common names include great laurel, great rhododendron, rosebay rhododendron, ... Where it occurs naturally, it produces a showy, white, pink, or light purple flower primarily in June, but occurs from March into August. The sweet-scented swamp azalea ( R. viscosum) is found in boggy areas from Maine to Florida. And do join us on Sunday mornings – find out more about following the Middlesized Garden here. They came…, Fences for privacy – 9 great ideas for garden screening, Are you making the most of your fences for privacy and screening? NOAA Hurricane Forecast Maps Are Often Misinterpreted — Here's How to Read Them. It would take a whole book to understand this wide world! But most rhododendrons are better outside. The best places to plant rhododendrons are locations that feature fairly acidic soils that are rich in organic matter and provide excellent drainage. You can also take stem cuttings from existing rhododendrons and plant them to grow a new plant. Soil may have been artificially limed for farmland, growing vegetables etc. But in winter, you won’t be out in the garden very often, so you’d want to be able to see it flowering from your house. You may not have thought about growing rhododendrons in your garden. They were re-opened after what has been described as the biggest garden restoration in Britain. At Leonardslee, they have echoed the rhododendrons’ past in the mountains of Asia. Where do rhododendron grow? Never plant under an eave of a building, and plant so they’re protected from the wind. Stephen Herrington, head gardener at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens gives his tips on growing rhododendrons. There’s quite a lot of information available when you’re buying rhododendrons, so check this when you’re buying. ‘If you’re having trouble getting your rhododendron to flower, give it some potash and that will push it into flower,’ says Stephen. Always prune or cut back immediately after flowering, which is usually early to mid summer. Red-flowered rhododendron Grow rhododendrons and azaleas in a sheltered spot in partial shade or full sun. Pontica rhododendrons are now listed as an ‘invasive, non-native species’, but you can still buy them. ‘They have an amazing scent and will grow indoors, preferably in quite a cool room, such as a conservatory.’. Worldwide there are hundreds of species of rhododendrons with blossoms in every color in the rainbow. Each of these primary branches should be cut at a different height to produce a more natural-looking shrub. Rhododendrons range in size from dwarf shrubs to medium-sized trees. They are known for their spectacular rhododendrons, some of which were bred by Edmund Loder, a famous Victorian plant hunter who previously owned Leonardslee. Some rhododendrons are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter. Another is the attractive lavender-flowered Rhododendron ponticum. Yes, we do take cuttings from some of our rhododendrons. I asked Stephen what we need to know about growing rhododendrons on our very much smaller patches of land. The usual answer to this frequently asked question is, "Very little. As well as the woodland walks, lakes and Edwardian rock garden, the estate is also a wildlife habitat. Within the state, they are commonly found in coastal regions. But if you do want to fertilize, according to the Kenneth Cox book on Rhododendrons and Azaleas*, you should do it early in the spring before the plant has started blooming. How to plant, grow and care for Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons also hate being dropped into a turkey frier, but I doubt that happens very often. Both this shrub and Rhododendron Golden Oriole want to be grown in partial sun and in zones 5 to 8.; Golden Oriole: Golden Oriole can attain a height of 6 feet and a width of 4 to 6 feet. The first species available for garden use, in the mid-1600s, was R. hirsutum, the hairy alpine rose, which may grow as high as 1 metre (3 feet). Here the last of the rhododendrons is reflected in one of the lakes. A lot of people use pots to grow them if their soil isn’t suitable. This washes out over 3-5 years. A popular shrub in many home gardens, the care of rhododendrons is pretty easy but it always helps to have tips and information on how to grow a rhododendron bush properly, especially if you want to maintain its overall good health. Its pale pink flower would stand out in a shady or semi-shady spot in your border. 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