Plant Rhododendron in your Garden: [Complete Guide + Important Points]

rhododendrons(Rhododendron) are small-sized plants, from the shrub family, whose height does not reach more than 20 centimeters.

They have a very ornamental objective, since the leavesThey are bright greenwhile they are accompanied by flowers with shades that cover violet, pink, white and red.

This makes them form a true floral bouquet that is pleasing to the eye in any setting.

Have you seen them?

In our photos you will find some models and if you want to start planting rhododendrons, take advantageall the tricksthat we have prepared for you.

Important Points when Planting Rhododendron

When? It is advisable to do it in early fall.
Where? It needs a certain amount of direct light, but also shade during part of the day. Does not tolerate drafts well.
How do we prepare the land? The soil should be loose, well drained and light. With a pH between 5 and 5.5
Where does it usually grow? Rhododendron can easily be found in the Himalayas or in Nepal.
How do we water? It is not very demanding with water, except at high temperatures. Preferably we will water without flooding, that is, with a sprayer or drip irrigation.
How do we fertilize the land? We will put compost and quality soil. Just as it is ideal to add earthworm humus or iron sulfate.
Plagues and diseases? Caterpillars are the great enemy, as well as rot.

When to plant rhododendron?

Taking into consideration the exact time to proceed with planting will help the plant grow strong and healthy.

In the case of the rhododendron, it needs a slightly low temperature for its first growth process, soit is advisable to sow it at the beginning of autumn.

Although in general they live well in any climate, it is important to offer them this small space of comfort at the beginning.

Where to plant rhododendron?

The correct place to plant rhododendron must meet certain characteristics, namely:

That is capable of receiving some amount of direct sunlight per day.
That the other part of the day can get a cool shade.
You also have to make sure that it is not very exposed to drafts.
With good drainage.
The soil must be fine and light.
Likewise, it is better if it is an acid species, with a pH between 5 and 5.5.

In the event that the chosen place does not meet these types of characteristics, some modifications to its structure will have to be made.

These are relatively easy to carry out, either by adding compost, sulfur or other compounds.

Did you know…The rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal. It is also the flower that represents the state of Washington and West Virginia in the United States, the state of Sikkim in India and the city of São Paulo in Brazil (Wikipedia).

How to prepare the land to grow rhododendron?

The preparation of the land goes around the particular aspects that each person has in their garden or the place where they are going to plant it.

The first thing is to achieve an adequate density and this can be achieved by adding a good amount of organic matter.

In the event that the soil is muddy style, farmland can be placed on top of it and seek to mix little by little.

If it is indeed sandy, it is best if this farmland is mixed together with organic manure or compost and added with stirring.

If you have determined that your soil does not have the necessary acidity, you will also need to prepare the soil around this.

If the pH is above 5.5, the number can be reduced by adding ferrous sulfate, sulfur or mortar. All for agricultural use.

If, on the other hand, it is below 5, it is possible to work with the addition of ground agricultural limestone.

Careful with this!Rhododendrons are very toxic. In particular, the honey that can be produced from its nectar can be tremendously harmful to humans, as well as the consumption of its leaves.

How do we water the rhododendron?

The irrigation system will depend, to a large extent, on the time of year it is.

For the hottest days of summer you will have todo it frequentlyeven reaching twice a day in small amounts (without flooding).

When there is rain, irrigation is no longer necessary because they will obtain water naturally.

Did you know…The largest wild rhododendron garden in the world is located in Bakersville, North Carolina (USA). It is located in the Roan Mountain Nature Park.

How to plant rhododendron step by step?

If the time has come to plant your rhododendron, remember to arm yourselfwith the necessary toolsso as not to hurt yourself, at least some good gloves.

The first step will always be to choose a good species that is healthy and has a high probability of growing without problems.

How to choose a good species of rhododendron?A good way to determine this is by checking the color of the leaves, which should be dark green and shiny.

In case they are yellowish, it is best to put it aside and move on with another prototype.

After you have this, you will proceed toplant rhododendron as follows:

You have to remove the soil that is in the area where the plant will be planted so that the compounds that you have added settle more.
Next, a hole of a good size will be opened to disperse the roots so that they are comfortable.
To cover, the same soil that has been removed can be used since it contains the exact characteristics for the development of the plant.
This can be pressed with the fingers so that there are no air passages or instability in the plant.
The first contact with the water will be made at this point but taking care that it is very superficial.

In case you want to plant more than one, you will have to offer them the ideal space so that they can spread without complications.

Fertilizers are recommended to be done periodically, preferably during the autumn season.

What favorable associations does it have?

The roots of rhododendronsthey tend to grow a lot during the early stages,so they need a lot of space around.

However, this does not mean that they cannot be at a considerable distance from other tree plantations.

What is not recommendedis to have the rhododendrons in conjunction with creeping or sliding plants, as damage could be caused in terms of access to nutrients.

The good thing is that it can also be planted in the undergrowth, without causing any damage and rather adding a touch of color to the environment.

Did you know…The rhododendron belongs to a large family of plants and can be found as a wild plant in the Himalayas and Nepal.

What pests and diseases does rhododendron have?

In general, the rhododendron is a very healthy plant that requires minimal care such as a good irrigation system and scheduled fertilization.

But, it is not without pests and diseases.

Among the pests, the caterpillars stand out, which exert a devastating effect on the leaves and flowers without us even noticing it.

For this reason, it is very important to check the environment well to ensure that there is nothing that could affect its healthy development.

Regarding diseases, the most common is the rotwhich tends to attack roots and stems.

That is why it is necessary to follow a good care structure.

If you liked this information, do not forget to share your experience or future plans with us.

We are sure that a rhododendron plant may be what you need to bring life to that garden that at times seems too dull.

So go ahead!