As far as I can remember, I dreamed of a garden full of rhododendrons. I saw them for the first time in the Książ Landscape Park near Wałbrzych. Bushes overgrown the route leading straight to Książ Castle. It was then that I promised myself that when I had my own garden, rhododendrons would definitely be hosted there. This happened 15 years later. When my husband and I built a house and we started thinking about the garden arrangement - I immediately thought about these evergreen shrubs. It is thanks to the rhododendrons that my garden is colorful all year round. Not only in the season, because these shrubs have lush green leaves also in winter.
Before I decided on specific species, I read for a long time about their care.So I decided to share my knowledge and almost ten years of experience.
Stand for azaleas
Rhododendrons shouldn't be solitaire. They enjoy each other's company and feel best in groups. Of course, it is worth remembering to keep an appropriate distance when planting them. I left about a meter of free space between my specimens. They like it very much. It is important that rhododendrons grow in groups, because they create a special microclimate. Such a place has adequate humidity, because the water between the roots is evenly distributed. This also makes it easier to water or fertilize them.
Irrigation
Rhododendrons have not very long roots. They often suffer from dryness. To prevent this from happening, the ground around the bushes should be well mulched. Best with bark. Then the water that we water them will not evaporate so quickly. For irrigation of rhododendrons I use decant water from the well. I make sure that the bushes are not dry in spring and summer, when they grow and bloom intensively.I have put in practice that spraying on top of them also works great in the season. It is best to do this in the evening so that the sun does not burn the leaves. Such a water shower is especially effective for large-flowered specimens. If possible, the bushes should be watered with a lawn sprinkler.
Fertilization
There are two important fertilization dates for rhododendrons. The first is necessary for growth, and the second - for stabilizing the soil pH. I usually feed my bushes in April and June. It is worth using proven preparations intended for the care of this particular species. You can also use nitrogen and sprinkle it under the plants. Then we will have to water them additionally.
Pruning
Rhododendrons do not need such radical treatments as other evergreen plants. However, I try to make grooming cuts. I do it in the spring. I remove dried, diseased or stunted branches with a pruner. Thanks to this, the bush takes the right shape.Such light pruning additionally strengthens the plant. It happens to me every two years at the turn of March and April to remove some of the buds on the top shoots. Rhododendrons are great at branching sideways, and not only growing upwards. This is how I obtained a beautiful and quite dense hedge from these wonderful plants.
Klaudia Schmidt
