… Environmental Construction has already heard from many of our clients wanting to add new plants to their gardens. A large pot of blooming rhododendrons in the backyard. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) Instead, transplant rhododendrons in the spring in cooler climates and in the fall in warmer climates. Provide your shrubs with protection from afternoon sunlight and drying winter winds, especially if you have early-flowering varieties. Rhododendron Care Rhododendron Planting Tips. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w-----How to Transplant Rhododendrons. Place each shrub so its root ball sits slightly higher than the surrounding soil. It is at least 8 feet high and probably 10 feet wide. Choose an area for planting that receives ample amounts of both sunlight and shade — filtered sunlight is ideal. Water the root ball to wet it completely, all the way through. The roots run wide and shallow. Slide the plant onto a tarp to assist in moving it. In cold climates early spring … Rhododendrons flourish in light, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Here are a few hints to help you grow rhododendron and their close cousin, the azalea. Jolene Hansen is a lifelong gardening enthusiast and former horticulture professional. An inward-sloping basin around each plant helps direct water to the root balls. If one of your plants does need a little shaping, early spring or late winter near the end of the dormant season is the best time to shape it, depending upon your region. Early spring transplanting lets rhododendrons adjust during milder summer and fall temperatures. Step 2 - Prepare the Soil. Hansen's work appears regularly in consumer and trade publications, as well as numerous internet gardening and lifestyle channels. If moved in a truck bed, the plant should be covered with a tarp to minimize leaf loss. Azaleas are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, which is a very wide range as far as temperature. I want to give three plants a new home that will face more sun (west) over very little sun now. Delay transplanting until after the period of soft growth. The optimal soil pH level for rhododendrons is between 4.5 and 6.0. Then get the shrub into its new spot right away. The U.S. Supreme Court: Who Are the Nine Justices on the Bench Today? She is passionate about reshaping the way people experience gardens and gardening. Rhododendrons have fibrous, compact root systems that simplify transplanting. Dig a 5-foot-diameter circle around the rhododendron. In many cases, both rhododendrons and azaleas are best left as-is when it comes to their over-all shape. Hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 4 through 9, depending on their variety, rhododendrons may outgrow their spot or need a change of location for other reasons. If the plant cannot be transplanted immediately, it can be put in a container with plenty of mulch to keep the roots from dying in cold temperatures. 8 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Workplace More LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Fact Check: “JFK Jr. Is Still Alive" and Other Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About the Late President’s Son. Dig down past the roots, at least 6 inches deep. CEO Compensation and America's Growing Economic Divide. Get involved. I did transplant 1 of 4 plants from the same area (taking a chance) late spring, cool early summer. Planting too deeply is a leading cause of early rhododendron death. Some are wild. The best time for relocating an azalea bush really depends upon your climate. TGH. One-half pound of elemental sulfur lowers the pH level 1/2 point per 100 square feet in sandy soil, but clay soil may need 2 1/2 pounds of elemental sulfur to lower its pH level 1/2 point. Our Rhoderdendron plant was just beautiful at Mother's Day this year and now it seems to not have any new growth and I was told it probably has to do with a bore in the plant. In warmer climates, this is late summer to late fall. Transplanting. Soft new growth forms right under spent rhododendron flowers. Pruning Rhododendron & Azaleas In general, do not prune spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons. In moderate climates, rhododendrons can be moved any time of year except during hot spells and right after flowering. If you’ve just bought a small rhododendron, you can either transplant it or keep it in its nursery container for the first year. Soil pH near 5.5 is ideal for rhododendrons. Autumn is best,when the soil is still warm, but the plant isn’t in full active growth.The second best time is in early autumn as the soil starts to warm up again. If you live in a lower numbered zone with cold winters, the best time for azalea transplanting is early spring, before new growth has started. on Oct 20, 2009 You may need to transplant a rhododendron for a number of reasons: seedlings are ready for the garden, container rhododendrons are rootbound, or your original garden plants have spread out immensely and are crowding other flowers and shrubs. Even though rhododendron is our state flower, they need some special care, especially when first planted. Guide to safely moving and transplanting Rhododendrons, Roses and other large plants. Step 2 Cut back on high-nitrogen fertilizer because too much causes shoot growth, not bloom. Azaleas and rhododendrons are shrubs for all seasons. Select a planting location in dappled shade or part sun. Decayed leaves, pine needles or fine pine mulch increase soil's aeration and organic matter. 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