Gardeners' World star Monty Don swears by one tip for healthy rhododendrons
Many adore having rhododendrons in their gardens - and with good reason.
They offer wonderful blooms in a wide range of colours, including pink, purple, red and more. Coming in various sizes, they are ideal for both compact and spacious gardens.
They are relatively low maintenance, thrive in partial shade and have dense roots that They keep their leaves all year-round, but are sure to deliver a spectacular display in the early summer - as long as gardeners give them the ideal growing conditions.
This involves watering them appropriately, according to gardening guru Monty Don, alongside supplying them with suitable soil. The Gardeners' World star has offered some of his top tips for the flowers, explaining that coffee grounds can assist them in flourishing year-round, reports the Express.
In a blog entry from August last year, Monty explained: "Camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons form their flower buds in late summer and autumn. In other words, the display that they give you next spring is largely determined over the coming weeks.
"If they are too dry, the buds will not form properly, and those that are made quite often subsequently drop off in the spring before flowering." This occurs due to dehydration from the last late summer and autumn, the gardening icon explained.
To prevent this, "give them a good soak" now, using rainwater where possible. This proves particularly crucial if they're cultivated in containers since they'll dry out more rapidly.
Monty advised providing camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons with a thorough watering weekly for the next few months. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), when cultivated in quality, acidic soil, they are unlikely to require extra nourishment, making them excellent low-maintenance plants.
Nevertheless, if you have specimens in pots, they will benefit from a slow-release granular fertiliser in spring, following the manufacturer's instructions. Rhododendrons also don't need much trimming other than the removal of dead wood and deadheading of spent flowers if needed.
They respond well to hard cutting back, but make sure to mulch and keep well-watered to "encourage new growth".
Five tips for stunning year-round rhododendrons
Pick the right location
Rhododendrons favour dappled shade - too much sunlight can burn their leaves, while deep shade lessens flowering. Keep them sheltered from strong winds, but ensure they get some morning sun and afternoon shade.
Soil matters
Gardeners will find that rhododendrons flourish in well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6). Improve your soil with organic matter like leaf mould, pine needles, or peat moss.
Steer clear of chalky or alkaline soils, as these can lead to yellowing leaves and poor growth.
Water wisely
With their shallow roots, rhododendrons require consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods and while establishing them as part of your garden. Water deeply but avoid waterlogging - mulch with pine bark or leaf mould to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Feed and mulch annually
In early spring, apply a slow-release, ericaceous (acid-loving) fertiliser. Refresh mulch each year to suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and add nutrients.
Prune carefully
Remove spent flowers (deadheading) after blooming to encourage more blooms next year. Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant and remove any dead or diseased wood.
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