Garden Secrets How to Plant Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a shrub that has flowers like the azalea.  It’s a perennial that is long-lived provided you plant it in a location that meets the plants growing needs.

Know that in the past I planted rhododendron on the east side of my home.  In an area that was too close to my home's overhang and suspect that the shade was too much.  The plant grew but never bloomed. 

I transplanted my rhododendron to the north side of my home in an area where there was protection from wind and the soil had an acidic ph.  As for the sun the plant received 3 hours of full morning sun followed by 4 hours of the late afternoon sun. During the heat of the day, the shrub was protected with partial shade and this shade did not seem to hurt the rhododendron. (Rhododendron grow best when they get 6 hours of full sun daily)

In May I did weed the entire garden bed before applying a thick layer of hardwood mulch around the plants.  My summers are extremely hot so hoping the mulch will keep the roots cool and aid in retaining moisture.

Know that I did soak the root ball in water for one hour then let it drip dry for another hour before planting it in a hole that was 3 times the size of the root ball.  I planted it high so that the rainwater would drain off.  I also amended the fill-in soil with peat moss.  After planting I watered well, then did not water for 3-days.  The soil around the rhododendron didn’t dry out because I watered every 3-days for a month then only when water was needed.

The rhododendron bloomed this year and the flowers were brilliant. Here are some photographs. 

About Sticky Weed in the Yard

 This past March my oak tree dropped its remaining leaves, and normally we remove the leaves from the garden beds immediately.  But the weather was bitter cold and we both got COVID so the leaves set on our gardens long enough to germinate a whole lot of weeds including the sticky weed. 

Photo of  Cleavers or "sticky weed" (Galium Aparine)

The sticky weed got its name due to the hairy like hooks on the leaves this allows the plant to stick to your clothing, hand, other plants, or anything it comes in contact with.  

Know that it's best to put on your garden gloves and pull this weed as quickly as you see it.  I tend to pull it close to the soil level and I put it in a plastic trash bag.  the last thing that I want is the seeds to spread back into my yard and garden.

*My husband can pull the sticky weed by hand without the worry of a rash or irritation.  Many people say that they have gotten a rash, so I recommend that you put on gloves before you pull out the sticky weed in your yard.