Rhododendron

A classic shade garden plant, rhododendrons are prized for their glossy green foliage and showy clusters of blooms. Available in a wide variety of colors, the most common flowers are borne in ranges of purples and pinks as well as white and cream. Many of the deciduous types also boast bright yellow and orange hues that work wonders in brightening up shady corners of the garden.

The rhododendron is a wonderful addition to any shade garden. Deciduous varieties can hold up much better to more sun, as many of the evergreen types can be susceptible to burn in winter where they are exposed. To prevent this, plant evergreen types in sheltered areas, avoiding southern exposures where warm, sunny winter days can be fatal. Keep them sheltered from drying winter winds as well. Evergreen types may begin to curl their leaves during the winter, and this is actually a physiological response to dry winter weather. By curling their leaves, they are protecting themselves from cold temperatures and winds in order to prevent potential winter burn.

Rhododendron plants, similar to many other plants in the Ericaceae family, prefer acidic soils. 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. You can amend the soils with peat moss, compost, and other soil acidifiers to keep them happy.

Rhododendron also appreciates soil that has lots of organic material. This will keep the shrubs decently moist and prevent them from drying out—dry winters and late falls can be particularly fatal to rhododendrons. On the other end of the spectrum, overly wet soils can also be fatal to rhododendrons. Finding the right balance of moisture in soils can be tricky.

Related: Add Year-Round Color to Your Garden with Evergreen Shrubs

Pruning may be necessary to create a more desirable shape and overall more visually appealing plant. After the plants have bloomed, spent blossoms can be cut back to the new growing tips. After bloom is also the ideal time to do any other pruning. Damaged or diseased growth should always be removed to prevent the spread of disease. You can also do rejuvenation pruning by cutting older plants back more severely to encourage better branching.

Rhododendrons and azaleas often get confused. A while ago, azaleas were considered a separate genus of plants, but since they have been found very genetically similar to rhododendrons, today they are lumped in the same genus. Now, azalea has become more of a common name within certain types of rhododendrons. People tend to think of rhododendrons as larger evergreen plants with big clusters of blooms. "Azaleas" are what people tend to associate with deciduous rhododendrons, and generally have smaller leaves and shorter plant habits.

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