For late summer colour, use Hydrangea, Eucryphia, Sorbus and other berrying plants. But not all rhodies need heavy shade; most prefer dappled light and some grow best in full sunshine. The worst trees are dense, greedy ones such as beech and sycamore. Rhododendrons will grow nicely in full sun to moderate shade. PJM Rhododendron PJM Rhododendron. How to grow rhododendrons. Container stock can be planted at any time but if planted May-August must be well watered through the first growing season. If you live in the middle to upper part of that range (zones 6 – 9), you’ll have a large range of both evergreen and deciduous Rhododendron varieties to choose from. Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’ – a large shrub, growing to over 2m. Rhododendron ‘Pleasant White’ – a dwarf, evergreen azalea with white flowers. Newer varieties can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, but always check the plant tag or description when shopping to make sure the plant needs match your garden conditions. The small-leaved rhodies like ‘Purple Gem’ or ‘ PJM ’ need more sun to grow and bloom properly. The further north, the more light is required: in Cornwall you can grow in more shade than Scotland. Did you know that the amount of sun this plant gets can actual change its appearance? Rhododendrons are capable of growing indefinitely. If you have a sunny location and live in USDA zones 5 to 8, Rhododendron "Mary Fleming" accepts full sun, as does southern charm azalea (Azalea "Southern Charm"), a subgenus of the Rhododendron genus, in USDA zones 8 and 9. Zone 5 … Don't fertilise later as it encourages soft growth at the expense of flower buds. But before we get to that, let me dispel some confusion you may have about rhododendrons. We have our own Rhododendron feed available at our garden centre. Do not over pot as Maddenia and Vireyas like to be a bit pot-bound. Varieties with large leaves, early growth or which are on the tender side for your climate require shelter from wind, particularly from south westerlies and north easterlies. Make a soil-compost-bark-peat etc mix and plant into this. A sunny spot that receives a few hours of shade is perfect. Rhododendrons require the proper mix of sun and shade, but acid soil is also a must for plants of this genus. Alternatives are compost (own or bought), composted bark or conifer needles or perlite/grit. Remedy by planting with peat and you can also use sulphate of ammonia applied before planting as too much can burn leaves. Get involved. In a cold frame rooting may take up to 6 months or more. Discover rhododendrons. They thrive only in acidic soil. Neutral is pH7 and higher than 7 alkaline. If you have full shade, seek out suitable varieties known to perform well in these conditions. Indoors: Tender scented varieties can be grown in greenhouse/conservatory and brought in to house in flower. Do not put thick layers of mulch on top of the rootball. Bone meal is of limited value. The classic underplanting annual, impatiens tolerate deep shade, especially in … From Alaska to California, from France's Basque Country to Mexico's Pacific Coast, Teo Spengler has dug the soil, planted seeds and helped trees, flowers and veggies thrive. For example, the root system does not like to be exposed to heat, which is one reason why it should be grown in the shade. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Rhododendron roots require a high oxygen level (that's probably why they are shallow rooted) and an organic soil that supports mycorrhizae (the fungus that invades their roots and promotes their growth). Well.. we aren't going to tell you how to do that, are we? It will suit a small garden, in a semi-shady border, or can be grown in containers. Provide light shade, especially in the afternoon. 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