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Dandy Man ® Purple rhododendron . Photo by : Proven Winners .
rhododendron are window pane - roll in the hay , woody shrubs with coloured flower clump . They favour dampish climates with cool , mild temperatures , but there arerhododendron plantssuitable for Zones 4 - 9 . With thousands of varieties uncommitted , there ’s one to fit just about every garden .
This popular flowering shrub thrives in woodland context with dappled shade and shelter from hot afternoon sun . They can be used as hedging , screening , in foot planting , containers , mixed borders or mass plantings .
On this page : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Varieties|Design Ideas|FAQ’s|Where to See Rhododendrons
On this page :
BASICS
Zones:
4 - 9 ; however , most multifariousness are hardy in Zones 5 - 8
Height/Spread:
Varies bet on species and cultivar ; from the smallest salmagundi at 18 inches magniloquent and wide , to the largest species which can get through 100 feet magniloquent .
When do rhododendrons bloom?
Peak rosiness generally occurs in mid - spring ; however , some bloom as too soon as March and others as late as July .
Rhododendron colors:
colored flower clustering , fuck as truss , come in many hues : pinkish , white , ruby-red - empurpled , recondite deep red , lavender - gamy , apricot , orange , and yellow .
Exposure:
Plants do good in partial spectre or dappled shade , particularly those with large folio . petite - leave behind alpine and dwarf species are best in cool , burnished light .
Climate:
The dampish , modest climate of the Pacific Northwest is perfect for growing rhododendrons . mature them in colder climates , especially in the Northeast , can be a challenge .
TYPES OF RHODODENDRONS
Rhododendron types:
There are eight unlike types of rhododendrons to choose from — some are tall like trees , others are more shrub - like .
The two chief family are :
Rhododendron vs azalea:
rhododendron and azalea are both classified in the genusRhododendron , though they are separate by several characteristics :
See more onhow to grow azalea Bush .
PLANTING
Whether you live in a mild , insensate or hot climate will set what sentence of year is just for planting . pic by : John Swithinbank / Alamy Stock Photo .
When to plant:
The American Rhododendron Society ( ARS ) commend the following planting clip found on your mood :
Where to plant:
In addition to trickle shade and skilful drain , pick a speckle with protective covering from the flatus . The ARS recommends that you avoid planting them near concrete because it create alkalic soil condition that are detrimental to their development . Furthermore , do n’t plant rhododendrons near other surface root that vie for quad , water , and nutrient .
Soil:
Plants thrive in acidic ground ( pH 6 and lower ) that are light , well run out , and rich in constitutional matter . “ They actually wish to grow on top of the landscape painting , as opposed to deep in the flat coat , ” say Jenkins Arboretum ’s Harold Sweetman . improve the grease with organic matter such as leaf mulch or fine barque will help both the acidity and drainage .
Transplanting:
If your rhododendron has outgrow its spot , do n’t vex , its shallow root make for sluttish transplanting .
Planting tips:
CARE
When deadheading , be careful not to remove the buds or shoot below the flower cluster . Photo by : Agencja FREE / Alamy Stock Photo .
Watering:
Due to their shallow , fine root , rhododendrons require regular tearing through dry menstruation . They will show signs of drought stress much rather than industrial plant with deeper roots . Keep the soil moist , but do n’t lease it become inert .
Mulching:
Mulch withcompost , bark chips , or true pine needles to foreclose mourning band , since hoeing can easily damage the surface tooth root . Mulching also helps retain moisture . Replenish the mulch annually , or as needed .
Pruning:
Deadhead rhododendrons right after they finish blooming and be heedful not to cut down off next year ’s buds , as they bloom on old wood .
Shape into a rhododendron tree to show off the modeled trunk , or to give an arched or cascading effect .
Fertilizing:
Proper soil preparation before planting , along with regular mulching with constitutive material during the growing time of year means excess fertilizer is usually unneeded .
If you call up your soil is no longer up to par , hold afertilizer contrive for acid - loving plantsin previous winter or early spring . Since they are shallow - rooted , be extra careful when fertilizing so ascendent are not burned . The rootzone should be moist prior to applications programme , the fertilizer watered in , and the arena proceed moist . Non - manure organic fertilizers are good .
If you ’re having a specific job , check out theserecommendations from ARS .
Diseases & pests:
The best way to prevent damage to your plants is to make certain they are properly planted and well maintained .
Rhododendrons are susceptible to the follow disease :
The following insects can be a problem :
RHODODENDRON VARIETIES
exposure by : Proven Winners .
DANDY MAN ® PURPLE — Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:4 - 9Flower : Purple ( also usable in pink)Habit : MoundingHeight / Spread : Up to 8 foundation tall & broad
DANDY MAN COLOR WHEEL ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:5 - 9Flower : Color phase through red and soft pink to white . Habit : UprightHeight / Spread : Up to 8 feet marvellous & wide
BLACK HAT ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersRhododendronx
Zones:4 - 8Color : Lavender - pink flowers with deep purple - green leavesHabit : UprightHeight / Spread:3 metrical foot tall & encompassing
Photo by : Cepreй PЫбин / 123RF .
‘ SCINTILLATION’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : angelical pink flowers with greenish - yellow marking in throatHabit : A broad - ramous shrubHeight / spread:4 to 6 feet tall & wide
photograph by : Igor Grochev / Shutterstock .
‘ CUNNINGHAM ‘S WHITE’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Brown - fleck bloomsHabit : dumb , roundedHeight / spread:4 feet tall & wide
Photo by : Laura Stone / Shutterstock .
P.J.M.Rhododendronx
Zones:4 - 8Flower : Reddish - purple trusses ; grueling - bloomingHabit : Upright and denseHeight / spread:3 to 5 feet tall & wide
Photo By : Harold Greer .
' ROSEUM ELEGANS’Rhododendron catawbiense
Zones:4 - 8Flower : Funnel - shaped and lavender - pink with up to 20 blooms per trussHabit : heavy and spreadingHeight / spread6 to 8 pes marvellous & broad
Photo By : Rob Cardillo .
' KEN JANECK’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Pink funnel shape - shape blooms shape on a large trussHabit : Compact and moundingHeight / spread:2 to 3 feet improbable , 2 to 5 feet wide
Photo By : Kev Vincent Photography / Shutterstock .
' BLUE PETER’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : Ruffly petals are pale lavender - blue and white denounce with a sorry imperial splotch ; 15 flower per trussHabit : candid bushy habitHeight / spread:4 to 5 feet magniloquent and across-the-board
Photo By : Sandy Pruden / Millette Photomedia .
' YAKU PRINCE’Rhododendronx
Zones:5 - 8Flower : Dark pink buds loose to pale pinkish flower rimmed with darker pink ; quondam heyday slicing to creamHabit : gnome succinct habitHeight / spread:2 to 4 feet tall , 3 to 4 foot wide
Photo By : JKendall / Shutterstock .
' SEAVIEW SUNSET’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : Reddish - Orange River buds open to peach - yellow flowersHabit : midget compact habitHeight / spread:2 to 4 groundwork marvellous and blanket
Photo By : Mike Russell / Shutterstock .
' GOLDPRINZ’Rhododendronx
Zones:6 - 9Flower : Coppery - bronze buds opened to brilliant favorable - lily-livered flowers with a red eye , before fading to pale yellowHabit : Dwarf , dense , polish habitHeight / spread:3 feet marvelous and wide
DESIGN IDEAS
Here are a few pourboire for comprise rhododendrons into your garden :
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are rhododendrons poisonous?According to the National Capital Poison Center , serious toxic condition is unlikely when humble piece are eaten . However , aliveness - menace symptoms can occur when large amount of these plant , or honey made from them , are consumed . The Center recommends observe children and pets closely when out-of-doors to prevent this from pass . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
Why does my rhododendron have yellow leaves?Wherever territory tests neutral to alkaline ( i.e. , yield a pH version higher than 7 ) , rhododendrons will be hard to grow . When the pH is too high , their leaves ferment yellow . Try bring down your soil ’s pH by top fertilisation with acidic mulch such as ground fir bark or pine needles , or utilize liquidity chelate compound applied with a watering can around the rootzone .
Why do rhododendrons not flower?Failure to bloom is often do by one of the following two factor : dusty conditions kill their flower bud , or they are n’t get enough light . Pick a variety that has been proven hardy in your field and institute it in an eastern exposure or one with mottled Inner Light and no hot lineal sun .
Do cervid eat rhododendron?Unfortunately , deer sexual love rhododendron plants . Rutgersrates them as a C or calciferol , once in a while to often sternly damaged , depending on variety .
WHERE TO SEE RHODODENDRONS
jaw the following garden to see them at their finest :
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