Shrubs - Rhododendron
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  (February) I need your advice. I have completed a new raised bed into which I want to transplant two existing small rhododendron shrubs (they are getting drowned out by two larger hydrangeas). Should I transplant now while they are still dormant, or should I wait until after they bloom.

  Move them now. Rhododendrons thrive in cool weather, and struggle when it gets hot. Giving them a chance to reestablish before summer would be beneficial. Hopefully, it won't interrupt your blooming this spring.

  (October) One of our rhododendrons started blooming today! Will this affect its ability to bloom next Spring? Also, we have a beautiful redbud tree that bloomed this Spring, got lovely foliage, and in August the leaves all died and dropped off. Last week we discovered the South side of the tree in bloom and getting new leaves. Now the North side is doing the same thing! What affect will this have?

  Spring blooming plants set flower buds in late summer through fall. If a plant sets its flower buds early and is stressed -- either from drought, heat, disease or insect attacks, etc, they occasionally shut down early. As the growing conditions improve--moisture, cooler weather, etc. these plants may begin to grow again and some of their flower buds open. It is a phenomenon that happens every year on some plants. Usually the bloom is not so intense that all flowers are open, and you should still get flowers again in the spring. Regardless, there is little you can do about it, but enjoy these off-season blooms and hope for another show in the spring. Water when dry this fall and wait and see what happens next spring. I am more concerned with the redbud than the rhododendron.

  Can you tell me the name of this shrub by the enclosed leaf? It is in with my azaleas. I have lived in Hot Springs for over 20 years, and this year is the only time that I have seen it bloom. It bloomed when the azaleas did. It has one bud on each branch and when it is in full bloom it has five separate blossoms in a circle around the original bud. They were pink and white. Also, can you tell me where I can buy some more of them since they are so pretty.

  The plant in question is a rhododendron, the same genus as the azalea. They are slightly more difficult to grow than azaleas, but once they get well established, and begin to bloom, they are spectacular. Most nurseries carry them and they come in shades of pink, white, and purple.

  We have a three year old rhododendron that will not bloom. We keep it watered and it gets morning sun. It is on the east side of the house. It grows, but no blooms. What should I do?

  Rhododendrons sometimes take their own sweet time to begin blooming, especially if they do a lot of growing. Continue with your general care. Next year in the spring, fertilize with an azalea food. Do it again in mid June. Water well. Rhododendrons, like all spring blooming plants, set their flower buds in late summer through early fall. Once it begins setting flower buds, you should get them every day.

  I have a rhododendron which is planted it in a bed with lots of humus it in the soil. It is planted on the north side of the house, and gets early morning sun until about noon. Its general appearance is one of drooping, curled leaves and no new growth. It has been planted about two years. It has been watered and fertilized with acid fertilizer. We have three other plants it in the back yard under the trees on the east side of the house, which are thriving. Is this plant diseased or is it just it in the wrong spot? If the latter, can it be moved now?

  Usually the main problem with growing rhododendrons it in Arkansas, is planting them too deep. They like even moisture and a shallow planting. Could yours be too deep it in the ground, and possibly standing in water? The north side of the house should be as good as the east side. If it is too deep, lifting up the plant and berming it up can help. Make sure you keep it evenly moist, and avoid any fertilizer until you see new growth coming on.

  Enclosed is a twig from a rhododendron which I planted two years ago. The first year it looked fine, but this past growing season it has gradually gotten worse, with the appearance of curling leaves which eventually fall off. I had the same thing on a five year old rhododendron two years ago that eventually died, despite spraying with everything I could think of. This one is about fifteen feet from where the old one was located. I have another one planted near them that looks healthy. Is this a root problem of some sort? If so, would azaleas, or other flowering bushes be affected if planted here?

  Rhododendrons can be somewhat tricky to grow, especially if there is the slightest drainage problem. They need to be planted shallow, with soil brought up around the root ball. They like even moisture but will not tolerate wet feet. If your soil has much clay, or was planted too deep, that could be the problem. Azaleas are members of the rhododendron family, and will also not tolerate poor drainage, but they aren’t as finicky as rhododendrons. Check out your drainage and correct any problems before planting any other plants.

  I have a beautiful yellow rhododendron. Should I cut all of the bloomed stems off? It does well when I do cut them off. Also, my Althea has seed pods on the branches where the flowers were. Should I remove them? I would think they would sap the bush. 

  Don’t do any more pruning on your rhododendron now. The flower buds are setting for next seasons blooms. Removing spent flower heads should be done on blooming plants immediately after flowering. This prevents them from setting seeds, and in the case of Althea, will direct more energy into more flowers. This late in the season, you can leave the seed pods and hope for some young Althea plants next spring.

  I have three rhododendrons which I planted about five years ago. They have a western and northern exposure under tall pines. I fertilize them every spring after blooming with miracid. They seem to be growing well, but they now have a number of yellow leaves. What have I done wrong, and what should I do to correct this condition? 

  This was not an easy year for rhododendrons. They prefer a cool environment, which we were far from this year. Heading into cooler winter weather, should help them recover. Some yellowing or leaf shedding of the older foliage, is natural. Since you do see new growth, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Make sure that they don’t get too much afternoon sun in the western site. They prefer an eastern or northern exposure, in filtered sunlight.

  I've relocated to Arkansas from Ohio and wonder why rhododendrons aren't used in the mid-south. Azaleas are everywhere and do great but the local nurseries don't carry or know much about rhododendrons. I've acquired some plants, could you pass-on any special care they will need here in the mid-south? 

  Rhododendrons don't particularly like our hot, humid summers. We are beginning to have better success with them, but they can be particular about site. Plant them in a well amended soil that is well drained. Give them morning sun or filtered sun, and be prepared to water in the summer. Plant them shallowly, as they won’t tolerate wet feet, but they do require ample water during the summer. Winter is easy for them, it is our summers that can cause damage. worrying about them.

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