Give the diversified rhododendron a second chance

  • By Steve Smith Special to The Herald
  • Tuesday, April 28, 2015 2:32pm
  • Life

When it comes to flowering shrubs there is nothing quite as spectacular as a rhododendron in full bloom. Anyone who has grown up in the Northwest can attest to the glorious sight of a yard full of these incredible plants.

Rhodies come in many sizes and colors, are usually evergreen and for the most part are easy to grow. With proper selection one could have a rhodie blooming in their garden from February through June.

I have found over the years that many gardeners have a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to rhodies. What they remember are the monster green shrubs with huge leaves that obliterated their parent’s homes and had to be pruned back every few years to keep them under control.

While we still sell larger varieties, the vast majority of rhodies on the market these days are compact, self-branching and will top out in the 3 to 5 foot range, perfect for under windows and along the foundation of our homes.

But rhodies should not be relegated to merely foundation plants. There are over 1,000 different species of rhodies, including azaleas, and over 5,000 hybrids, many of which might not even be recognized as rhodies.

Some have leaves as small as 1/4 inch with delicate little flowers and thrive in hot dry soil like would be found in a rockery. Others need full shade and have leaves that are covered with a fuzzy material called indumentum which makes them look like Teddy Bears in the garden. Some rhodies are arboreal in nature and will actually form small trees when pruned properly. (When I lived in Nepal, I saw forests of rhodies that a person could walk through.)

By far the vast majority of rhodies have rather normal looking leaves and thrive in our Northwest maritime climate. Because all rhodies (and azaleas) have very shallow and fine root systems, it is imperative that gardeners make the extra effort to amend the soil with plenty of organic material and then top it off with an inch of mulch. That will help to retain moisture in the summer and provide better air exchange in the winter.

Once established rhodies can be fairly drought tolerant but if you want fabulous blooms in the spring you should really give them some extra water in the summer and also feed them after they bloom in the spring.

As far as placement, I like to use the rule of thumb that the darker the flower the more sun it will tolerate. All the reds and purples and most pinks do well in full sun while the lighter shades of pink and white prefer some afternoon shade. Also, the larger the leaves the more shade is appreciated. However, rhodies that are planted in full shade will often tend to be leggy (spindly) and shy bloomers.

While rhodies can be planted under a canopy of large conifers it is essential to provide supplemental water if you want them to be happy.

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached online at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

Rhodies class

Sunnyside Nursery will host a class on rhododendrons at 10 a.m. May 2. Learn about the different varieties and how to deal with disease and insects. Also, members of the Pilchuck chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to exhibit their rhodies and offer tips and answer questions.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.