Rhododendrons are popular flowering shrubs with hundreds of wonderful colours to pick from in a range of sizes, perfect for small and larger gardens. From blooms in pink and purples as well as reds and oranges, rhododendrons are guaranteed to put on a show of flowers in early summer, as long as you provide the right growing conditions.
This includes watering them correctly, according to gardening expert Monty Don, as well as providing them with the right soil. Coffee grounds can help them thrive throughout the year, but they don’t require too much specialised care.
In a blog post for August last year, Monty wrote: “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 is due to dehydration from the previous late summer and autumn, according to the gardening expert.
To combat this, “give them a good soak” now, with rainwater if possible. This is extremely important if they are growing in a container because they will dry out faster.
Monty recommended giving camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons a good soak each week for the next couple of months.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), when grown in decent, acidic soil, they are unlikely to need additional feeding, making them great low-maintenance plants.
However, if you have plants in containers, they will benefit from a slow-release granular fertiliser in spring, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rhododendrons also don’t require much pruning 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”.