Pacific Rhododendron Care - How To Grow A Pacific Rhododendron

This plant likes moist soil best and appreciates a consistent watering schedule, particularly while it is getting established. To help keep the soil most, try adding mulch to help retain moisture. Although pacific rhododendrons love water, be sure you have well-draining soil to avoid problems like root rot.

Where is the best place to plant a rhododendron?

Unlike many blooming plants, rhododendron does not like full morning sun in winter and does best when planted in dappled shade on the north side of a building. Growing rhododendrons are happiest in a location protected from the wind and not under eves of a building.

What do rhododendrons need to grow?

Rhododendrons are acid loving plants. As such they perform best when the soil is acidic (with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0). They need well-draining soil with an abundance of organic matter. Rhododendron and azalea roots also need oxygen for healthy growth.

Does rhododendrons like sun or shade?

Most large-leafed varieties require dappled shade; avoid deep shade or full sun. A sunny spot that receives a few hours of shade is perfect. See regional guidelines below. Soil should be well-drained, humus-rich, moist, and acidic (pH 4.5–6).

Are coffee grounds good for rhododendrons?

Fresh Coffee Grounds for Acid-Loving Plants

Your acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, rhododendrons, azaleas, lily of the valley, blueberries, carrots, and radishes can get a boost from fresh grounds. ... Fresh coffee grounds still have most of their caffeine content as well as the acid.

Are rhododendrons difficult to grow?

Rhododendrons need moist, acid, loose, well-drained soil that contains a good bit of organic matter. This is why they're hard to grow here. Most Southerners have either acid, clay soil or alkaline, clay soil. Rhododendrons hate both, because clay drains slowly and roots rot.

Do rhododendrons have deep roots?

Rhododendrons do not have thick, deep taproots; their roots are fine and grow very superficially. Therefore, they may need reliable moisture to avoid damage from drying out.

Are rhododendrons poisonous to dogs?

All parts of the rhododendron plant are toxic for dogs. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset followed by weakness, paralysis, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Why do rhododendrons turn yellow?

If your soil is alkaline, you've found one reason for rhododendron leaves turning yellow: a mineral deficiency causing chlorosis. These shrubs take up too much calcium and not enough iron in alkaline soils. Chlorosis is very likely when the yellowing is mostly between the veins of new leaves.

Are rhododendrons toxic?

The toxic component of rhododendrons and azaleas can be found in very high concentrations in honey made by bees that feed on them. ... Eating the leaves, nectar, or flowers of the plants can also lead to toxicity. Although rare, serious and life-threatening toxicity has occurred when people intentionally ate the plant.

Will rhododendrons grow in full shade?

Rhododendrons and azaleas, which are among the most popular flowering plants for shade, are commonly thought to be, as a group, amenable to low-light conditions. ... Rhododendrons will grow nicely in full sun to moderate shade.

What is the best fertilizer for rhododendrons?

You'll want to use a particular fertilizer composition for the different stages of your rhododendron growth. At planting time, use 10-10-6 fertilizer before you water the plant in. In early spring, the rhododendron buds swell. At this time, apply a complete 10-8-6 fertilizer.

How often should you water newly planted rhododendron?

Rhododendrons are shallow-rooted plants that require water twice per week during the first growing season. Once plants are established, though, you should only have to water during dry periods (2 to 3 weeks without rain).

Are eggshells good for rhododendrons?

Crush the shells with your hands, and sprinkle the powder near flowering bushes like rhododendrons and hydrangeas. ... Your plants will thrive from the calcium boost the eggshells provide.

Are banana peels good for the garden?

Banana peels are good for gardens because they contain 42 percent potassium (abbreviated to its scientific name K), one of the three major components of fertilizer along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and shown on fertilizer labels as NPK. In fact, banana peels have the highest organic sources of potassium.

Is Epsom salt good for rhododendrons?

Magnesium in the form of Epsom salts is sometimes recommended for rhododendrons. Magnesium is an essential element and lack of it will cause yellowish areas between the leaf veins on older leaves. If the leaves are a solid green the addition of Epsom salts would not be useful.

Is a rhododendron a tree or bush?

Rhododendron is a genus of shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10–100 cm (4–40 in) tall, and the largest, R. protistum var.

Do rhododendrons grow fast?

Rhododendrons have no final size and can grow almost indefinitely. They range from dwarf, ground-hugging varieties which may reach 16 in. ... Some Rhododendrons will experience a fast growth rate (2 ft. per or 60 cm) while others will slowly grow less than 0.5 in.

How much does a rhododendron bush cost?

Prices for Rhododendrons & Azaleas

RHODODENDRONS		(S)
1 gallon	$11.95	$12.95
2 gallon	$16.95	$17.95
3 gallon	$18.95	$19.95
4 gallon	$21.95	$23.95

What would kill a rhododendron?

To begin with, excessive water kills about 75 percent of all rhododendrons purchased. Rhododendrons are fibrous, shallow rooted plants that need good drainage to perform well. Historically, gardeners have been told to dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball.

How long can rhododendrons live?

Eric La Fountaine Contributor UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years. The life expectancy depends on the species and variety, but many types of rhodies can live for hundreds of years.

Why is Rhododendron bad?

The general toxicity of Rhododendron to herbivores means that it cannot generally be controlled by grazing. Cases of human poisoning are also known. Most are caused by the consumption of honey produced from Rhododendron flowers. This is known as 'Mad Honey Disease', or 'Honey Intoxication'.