Who doesn't dream of a flowering raised bed with rhododendron bushes in the garden? The beautiful flowers are captivating, but planting and maintenance certainly also require a degree of care. If you have the patience and motivation for that sort of thing, you get an eye-catcher of a completely different calibre in return.
Perhaps you have moved into a new house with a garden where there is already a rhododendron bush that needs some love? Or perhaps you have laid out your raised bed with rhododendrons perfectly, in a spot with half shade and half sun, but are now unsure how best to look after them? Whatever the case, we hope this post can make you wiser on the subject.
When do you feed rhododendrons?
When you feed, you give the plant nutrients so it can flower year after year. With rhododendrons in particular, it is best to do this annually around March-April, so the fertiliser gives the plant an extra boost of energy before it flowers. You can with advantage feed again in midsummer, to help the new shoots on their way.
When you feed rhododendrons, it is important to choose a type of fertiliser that suits this particular flower. It is adapted and blended with the right pH value, so you get the best result.
When do you prune rhododendrons?
Does your rhododendron need pruning because it has become too big, or is it simply maintenance? As a rule of thumb, you should prune above the visible buds on the branches. If it is a hard pruning, we recommend doing it in mid-spring, so it has time to form new shoots. If it is just maintenance, you should do it as soon as your rhododendron has finished flowering.