Dans Papers - June 1, 2007 - Rhododendron Magic

During the next few days rhododendron will be blooming across the East End. This elegant shrub, with its beautiful blooms, graces the homes of the rich and poor alike. Clearly this is the best flowering evergreen for the landscape, providing wonderful late spring blooms and magnificent evergreen leaves.

It is not too late to purchase rhododendrons this year. It is an excellent plant for East End gardens because the shrub is acid loving, has shallow roots, requires little maintenance and is even deer proof.

Rhododendrons exist in the wild, mostly in mountainous areas of the arctic and northern temperate zones. Plant collectors have gathered species for more than a century from all over the world. This has led to the cultivation of a variety of colorful species with large flowers. Today, most of the shrubs that are sold are hybrids, propagated from cuttings or tissue cultures. The shrubs have large, shiny, leathery evergreen leaves and clusters of large flowers in shades of pink, white, rose, purple or some variation. The newest hybrids include colors such as peach, yellow and even orange. Flowers appear mostly in the spring, but some species may bloom as late as mid-July.

The shrubs grow best in filtered or partial sunlight. Soil around the shallow roots of the shrub must be kept cool and moist, but well drained. This shrub is not suitable for beachfront properties where the shrub receives full sunlight and heated soil or sand. Full sunlight bleaches out the flowers, burns the leaves and dehydrates this shrub.

Mass plantings of rhododendrons seem to work best. Single plants can be used as specimens but make a weaker statement. When planting groups, the shrubs make a bold statement at the fronts of properties, along garden paths and to punctuate landscape design. They are an ideal textural element for the landscape. Planting rhododendrons where they receive some protection from wind helps avoid leaf scorch and splitting of the stems. Ideally, select a site that slopes north or east and receives some protection from drying south and west winds.

When planting a rhododendron, prepare the soil by enriching it with mulch or peat moss. Garden loam mixed with equal parts of coarse sand and grinded bark or oak leaves also works well. Dig a hole that is eighteen inches deep and wide to start. If a bucket of water poured into the hole has not been absorbed within 30-minutes, dig deeper and add some broken crockery, sand or rocks at the bottom to improve the drainage. Remove any burlap wrapping from the roots. Contrary to the opinion of some garden centers, burlap impedes root growth and is often treated with chemicals that harm the environment. During removal of the burlap, be careful not to disturb the fragile roots.

Place loose soil at the bottom of the hole and position the plant so the soil line of the plant is level with the surrounding soil. Back fill the hole with the amended soil and water heavily. Keep the plant well watered for the first growing season. Do not over water thereafter, as this can create root rot.

Be careful about fertilizing. It can potentially damage fragile roots. Supplemental feeding is not normally needed if you use a year-round mulch of rotted oak leaves that provide natural nutrients and help keep the soil cool and moist. If leaves begin to yellow, apply a fertilizer for acid-loving plants around the shrub's base in early spring.

Many of the reputable nurseries on the East End carry rhododendrons during spring. Marders, East Hampton Gardens and Wittendales all sell wonderful examples. Do not select plants with yellowed leaves, or if they seem withered. Avoid plants with dried out root balls.

As the shrub grows, prune it after the flowers have faded. This will promote new growth and helps to maintain shape. Light-to-moderate pruning done immediately after flowering will not affect flower bud formation for the following year. After flowering, deadhead spent flowers to make the bush look more attractive and to prevent a heavy set of seeds. Deadheading increases the number of flowers the following season.

Rhododendrons are typically priced to be within reach of every gardener. We believe every garden ought to have at least one example of this plant.

You can contact Lance Brilliantine with any questions or comments at GardenLance@yahoo.com.