And if I paint my shed, it’ll also last longer…. ‘Think about what you want the rhododendron to achieve in your garden. And they like lots of water. Repot the plant every other year and work in one part potting compost with three parts garden mix for azaleas and camellias to keep the soil loose and porous. Others will die if you cut them back too hard. Although rhododendrons have brilliantly coloured flowers, they prefer shade or dappled shade to full sun. Most rhododendrons respond well to pruning. Stephen identifies the number one cause as ‘not being watered.’. This is one of the Loderi rhododendrons, bred a 100 years ago at Leonardslee. Dig a hole in the potting soil that is as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Perhaps you have a neighbour’s window over-looking your garden?…, Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Disclosure Policy, © 2020 The Middle-Sized Garden - Gardening Blog. There are deer, badgers, weasels and stoats, plus the famous wallabies and a range of birds, including ducks, green woodpeckers and kingfishers. Apply a thin layer of fertilizer formulated for rhododendrons. And what time of year you want it to flower.’. A lot of people use pots to grow them if their soil isn’t suitable. You can transfer the plant to a cooler, shady spot on a hot summer day. ‘Rhododendron ponticum (the Pontica rhododendron) is the invasive type,’ says Stephen. Removing these encourages more production of flowers and keeps the plant looking attractive. Some rhododendrons reach an enormous size if not pruned. Some that do not sprout readily from old wood cannot be much improved. Always prune after flowering, because otherwise you’re likely to cut the emerging flowers off. The Scarlet Wonder cultivar grows to about 2 feet tall and produces bright red blossoms. And do join us on Sunday mornings – find out more about following the Middlesized Garden here. ‘But there is a group of rhododendrons called the Loderi, which were bred here in Leonardslee Gardens in 1901. Leonardslee is now open to the public every day, observing social distancing guidelines. ‘That’s why we have to keep propagating them and re-planting new ones.’. Its pale pink flower would stand out in a shady or semi-shady spot in your border. Rhododendrons flower from mid-winter to early summer – this pretty pink was in flower when I visited Leonardslee in early June. Rhodendrons grow very well in pots. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant neat and clean. By growing your rhododendron in a container, you can be a doting plant parent, and create all the right soil and sun conditions to keep it healthy and beautiful for years. Leave 3 or 4 inches of space between the top of the potting soil and the lip of the container. This rhododendron at Leonardslee flowers in early spring – it is so beautiful. 10 easy care evergreen pots for year round impact, For the next six months, the evergreen pots in my garden will create almost all the structure and impact. But low hedges…, The 8 best perfect-for-privacy garden trees, Do you need trees for privacy? A bank of rhododendrons growing opposite meadow grass at Gravetye Manor Hotel in May. Take them from new growth, and place in a free draining compost – we use a bark compost because that’s closest to what they would grow in naturally. Some rhododendrons are good for bees, but others have poisonous nectar. I’m often asked for recommendations so I have lists of the gardening books, products and tools I use myself on the Middlesized Garden Amazon store. But most rhododendrons are better outside. Use half of the recommended rate because container plants require less fertilisation that those in garden beds, and overfertilizing can make the leaves grow before the flowers. Seattle Times: Planted properly, rhodies will thrive in large pots, Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing azaleas and rhododendrons, Royal Horticultural Society: Rhododendron, Sloat Gardens: Azalea, camellia and rhododendron, Utah State University Extension; The rhodies less travelled. The main issue is watering, especially in the first few years after planting. At Leonardslee, they have echoed the rhododendrons’ past in the mountains of Asia. Rhododendrons can often fail when grown in pots due to poor drainage. Feed plants that will winter outdoors once each month to improve the plant's cold hardiness and immune system, or bring plants indoors and cease fertilising until spring. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Contrary to what some might think, rhododendron can grow beautifully in containers. The gardens have been famous for more than 100 years, but were closed for ten years in the mid 1990s. Rhododendrons grow best in acidic soil, says Stephen. Use a 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 inch) container for a 4.5 litre (1 gallon) plant or a 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 inch) container for a 22.5 litre (5 gallon) plant. Ipatenco holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Denver. Some rhododendrons are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter. You may not have thought about growing rhododendrons in your garden. A lot of people use pots to grow them if their soil isn’t suitable. 8 steps to the long thin garden of your dreams, Two years ago Emma and Mel moved to a house in Whitstable with a long thin garden. ‘We’ve planted them with conifers, azaleas and primulas,’ says Stephen. Keep them moist – you can put a plastic bag over them for a mini greenhouse effect. They come in brilliant colours, they’re easy care and they love shade. and they grow in most areas of the country, including Sunset's Climate Zones 14 through 24. But otherwise, they’re very easy care plants. Contrary to what some might think, rhododendron can grow beautifully in containers. You’ll need to check the ultimate size on the label or ask the grower! Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens are now open to the public. If you want a scented rhododendron, then they are mostly deciduous. Place the container in full sun or partial shade to encourage growth and flower production. Examine the roots when you repot. It’s evergreen and highly scented. When the plant is in full bloom, you can show it off on your patio or near the front door of your home. When to prune. ‘There are a number of reasons,’ says Stephen. Buy a set of pot "legs" to keep the plant from sitting in water and a plate to catch water from the pot's drain holes. Plant the rhododendron into the container and keep the top of the root-ball slightly above the soil level so the trunk doesn't get buried. Check which rhododendron it is – if it’s one that can be cut down, then cut it back a bit.’. Or your rhododendrons could die of old age. If your soil isn’t right for them, they grow beautifully in pots, either wedged into your border in the right place or on a terrace. There are almost 1,000 species of rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) Do this every spring to encourage vigorous blossoming. Stephen says that the Bureavii rhododendrons (Bureau rhododendrons) and the Maddeni rhododendrons come from temperate regions. Utah State University Extension: The Rhodies Less Traveled, National Gardening Association: Rhododendron, How to Grow a Pia Hydrangea as a Container Plant. Or finally, you may have pruned it at the wrong time. lastly, rhodies are shallow rooted, so they may like a wide, shallow pan rather than a tall, narrow pot. You can buy tickets online. Continue to fertilise until the August. So we think autumn works best. Privacy is a big issue for middle-sized gardens, because high hedges and fences block light. When it is dry to the touch, water the plant with a garden hose or watering can. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Middle-Sized Garden with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Check what height your rhododendron will grow to before buying it. She started writing in 2007 and has been published in Teaching Tolerance magazine.