Few plants outshine a rhododendron in full bloom.
Rhododendron or Azalea?
Rhododendrons and azaleas are often confused.
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Now, they are in the same genus.
Many of the evergreen types can be susceptible to burn in winter when they are exposed.
Keep them sheltered from drying winter winds as well.
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour
Deciduous varieties can hold up much better 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 growing rhododendrons in the past,perform a soil test.
Credit: Justin Hancock
it’s possible for you to amend the soil with peat moss, compost, and other soil acidifiers.
Rhododendrons also appreciate soil that has alot of organic matter.
On the other end of the spectrum, overly wet soils can also be fatal to rhododendrons.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Finding the right balance of moisture in soils can be tricky.
Use a fertilizer especially labeled for rhododendrons or a high-quality compost.
Pruning
Pruning may be necessary to create a more desirable shape and overall more visually appealing plant.
Credit: Justin Hancock
After the plants have bloomed, spent blossoms can becut back to the newgrowing tips.
After bloom is also theideal time to do any other pruning.
Damaged or diseased growth should always be removed to prevent the spread of disease.
Credit: Jerry Pavia
you’re able to also dorejuvenation pruningby cutting older plants back more severely to encourage better branching.
Gardeners who live inareas with a large deer populationmay have a problem growing rhododendron.
Deer love to munch on the leaves of the plant.
Credit: Todd Dacquisto
Evergreen types may begin to curl their leaves during the winter.
This is a physiological response to dry winter weather.
By curling their leaves, they areprotecting themselves from cold temperaturesand winds to prevent potential winter burn.
Credit: Andrew Drake
Weigh a lower branch down until it touches the soil.
Cut a slit in the branch where it touches the soil and apply a rooting hormone.
A few years later, cut the rooted branch to separate it from the parent and transplant it.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Another propagation method usesstem cuttings taken from new growthin the early fall.
Rooting occurs anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months later.
When growing from seeds, sow them indoors in early winter on top of a moist potting soil.
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
Maintain a high humidity, warm environment with no direct sunlight.
Transplant the tiny seedlings to individual pots.
It will be about two years before they can be planted in the ground.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Types of Rhododendron
With close to 1,000 species in theRhododendrongenus, picking just one is difficult.
So don’tpick several instead!
Here are some favorites.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Encore Autumn Chiffon Azalea
Rhododendron’Robled' offers light pink flowers in spring, summer, and fall.
It grows 3 feet tall and wide.
Bloom-A-Thon Rhododendron
A series of semi-evergreen azaleas that feature a re-blooming habit for season-long color.
Credit: Denny Schrock
‘Blue Diamond’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Blue Diamond' is a dwarf evergreen rhododendron that bears violet-blue flowers.
It grows 5 feet tall and wide.
It grows 23 feet tall and wide.
Credit:BHG / Evgeniya Vlasova
‘Hydon Dawn’ Rhododendron
Rhododendron’Hydon Dawn' is one of the few rhododendrons that tolerates full sun.
‘Fielder’s White’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Fielder’s White' is blanketed with single white blossoms in midspring.
Evergreen foliage complements the 3-inch-wide flowers on this variety.
Credit: Sherry Lubic
Can tolerate full sun.
‘Karen’ Azalea
Rhododendron’Karen' is a hardy evergreen azalea bearing purple flowers in spring.
It grows 3 feet tall and wide.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
It tops out around 45 feet tall.
The shrub grows 34 feet tall and wide.
It grows 2 feet tall and wide.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Korean Azalea
Rhododendron yedoense poukhanensebears lilac to deep-rose funnel-shaped flowers in spring.
In fall, leaves change to a gold or reddish purple.
It grows 6 feet tall and wide.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
It grows 5 to 10 feet tall and wide.
Flowers are backed by rich green evergreen foliage.
The leaves redden in fall.
Credit: Denny Schrock
It grows to 4 feet tall and wide.
It grows 4-6 feet tall and wide.
It bears yellow blooms with orange blotches in large clusters.
Credit: Helen Norman Photography
It grows 5 feet tall and wide.
Year-Round Excitement Garden Plan
Creating a garden around foliage is a surefire way to produce multiseason interest.
However, dont pile the mulch around the base and trunk of the shrub because it encourages rot.
Credit: Mary Carolyn Pindar
Leave a few inches around the plant base free of mulch.
Most rhododendrons can live anywhere from 10 years to decades, depending on the care they receive.
A few specimens have made it past 100!
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Avoid planting them near concrete foundations.
Their leaves will appear yellow and wilted if they are being overwatered.
Meanwhile, brown, crispy leaves signal that the plant isn’t getting enough water.
Credit: Janet Loughrey
North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.
