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Among the most popular companion plants for Rhododendrons and Azaleas are Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) and Pieris japonica (Japanese andromeda). Both species are medium-size evergreen shrubs with great flower interest and they provide a textural contrast to Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
How do you landscape a rhododendron?
Space the small rhododendron varieties 2 feet apart, and space larger ones up to 6 feet apart. Place the rhododendron in the planting hole and fill the hole halfway in with soil. Water the soil to help it settle around the plant roots. Fill in the rest of the hole and water again.
Can you plant hydrangeas and rhododendrons together?
Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas grow well in moist, shaded areas away from the wind and do well in acidic soil. When grown as companions for rhododendrons in acidic soil, the blooms are blue, but they turn pink if grown in alkaline soil.
Where is the best place to plant a rhododendron?
Rhododendrons are perfect for growing at the edge of a woodland border or shady spot. Plant them in humus-rich acidic soil in a sheltered spot in partial shade or full sun. Mulch rhododendrons annually and water well with rainwater.
Are rhododendrons bad for other plants?
Rhododendron will out-compete many native trees and shrubs and can harbour plant diseases. This leads to reduced biodiversity and can have additional negative implications for some rural livelihoods, for example if rhododendron, poisonous to mammals, invades grazing land.
How close to the house can you plant a rhododendron?
Medium shrubs like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Spirea, Holly and Boxwood go 2.5-3′ from the side of the house. I can easily walk behind the shrubs after planting.
How much space does a rhododendron need?
Space plants 2 to 6 feet apart, depending on their mature size. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Set new plants so the top of their root balls are at soil level. Plant them deeper and the roots may rot.
What plants compliment hydrangeas?
Azaleas, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, loropetalum and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color. You can select your favorite blossom color since the azalea blooms will have faded before your hydrangea is flowering.
What’s the difference between a hydrangea and a rhododendron?
Depending on cultivar and season, you can find rhododendrons sporting flowers in hues from bright orange red, deep red, purple, yellow, cream or gold-orange among their large green leaves. Hydrangea flowers grow in ball-shaped clusters of blue or pink blooms.
What plants go well with azaleas?
Partner azaleas in the garden with woodland perennials such as ferns, wild ginger (Asarum), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum), hosta (Hosta), toad lily (Tricyrtis), and many others. Combine azaleas with other flowering shrubs.
What time of year should you plant rhododendrons?
In mild climates rhododendrons and azaleas can be planted almost any time of the year with reasonable success. In colder areas, early spring planting is recommended, with early fall planting being a second choice.
What is the best time to plant rhododendrons?
When to plant: Mild climates: Can be planted year-round. Cold climates: Early spring planting is best, with early fall planting a good second choice. Hot climates: Fall planting allows the plant’s root system to establish during the cooler months.
How should rhododendrons be planted?
Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 times as wide. Set new plants so that their top roots are at soil level or slightly below. If you plant them any deeper, the roots may rot. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil before filling with remainder of soil.
Are azaleas and rhododendrons the same thing?
Botanically speaking, azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the genus Rhododendron, with azaleas identified as a subspecies of the rhododendron family. According to botanists, there are not enough botanical differences between the two to classify them as two separate species.
Why is rhododendron bad?
Its leaves are poisonous to animals. Its foliage is so thick that nothing can grow underneath. In 2014, two experienced hillwalkers had to be rescued when they became trapped in an “impenetrable forest” of rhododendrons.
What is difference between rhododendrons and azaleas?
Other differences are: rhododendrons all are evergreen, while azaleas are either deciduous or evergreen; rhododendrons grow larger than azaleas and their blossoms and foliage also tend to be larger. Nevertheless, the botanical taxonomists have put both rhododendrons and azaleas in the same genus, Rhododendron.
Can you plant 2 rhododendrons together?
Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) produce showy flowers and leathery lance-shaped green leaves. Planting rhododendrons close together creates a mass planting, hedge or screen with bright spring colors.
What side of house do you plant rhododendrons?
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.
Can I use rhododendron as a hedge?
Rhododendrons are simply fabulous hedging plants. Of course, their aesthetic value is immediately apparent, but as most rhododendron varieties commonly used for hedging will reach an ultimate height of about 2 metres, they make very decent privacy hedges as well.
Should you deadhead rhododendrons?
When should you deadhead rhododendrons? When the petals of the flowers wilt or fade you should start to deadhead your rhododendrons. But, rhododendrons do not have to be deadheaded every year. If you want to encourage more blooms then it is a good idea to deadhead annually.
What month do rhododendrons flower?
As an example, early season azaleas and rhododendrons can start blooming any time between December and March in mild climates. In colder climates, the same can occur between the months of April and May.
