To keep rhododendrons thriving, pay attention to their needs. Use mulches such as wood chips, fir bark and pine needles. Mulch around the shrubs but avoid piling it around the trunk and donвЂ™t firm it down which could prevent air as well as water reaching the roots. Always check the eventual size of the plant when assessing. вЂDepending on size, make sure you give these plants plenty of growing room consider around at least two feet apart,вЂ™ says Jonny Livingston. If you are putting in more than one shrub, give them adequate space. Plant rhododendrons so that the top of the root ball is several inches above the surrounding soil level. Loosen the roots, too, to stimulate new growth. Water plants thoroughly before putting them into the soil. In a mild climate, they can be planted at almost any time of the year, according to the ARS. In colder areas, plant in early spring or early fall. The best times of year to plant rhododendrons vary depending on the region. The society warns that if the leaves of the plant turn yellow between green veins, the pH of the soil is likely unsuitable and recommends a soil test so amendments can be added.ДЄvoid growing rhododendrons near concrete, including in foundations, as this will create alkaline conditions, the society advises. Amend the planting area with organic matter to improve drainage if necessary.вЂ™ДЄs for soil, this should be acidic: the ARS specifies a pH between 4.5 to 6.0. вЂRhododendrons like moisture but do not like wet feet,вЂ™ adds Lindsey. Note that if there is not direct light for part of the day, flowering will be inhibited.ДonвЂ™t plant in a position that is constantly windy, particularly in a coastal location. вЂRhododendrons should be planted in a location where they will receive morning sun, but afternoon shade,вЂ™ says gardening expert Lindsey Hyland of Urban Organic Yield (opens in new tab). Select a part of the yard where the plant will receive sufficient shade. However, if the right cultivar is selected, there are many regions in which they can be grown. Rhododendrons also require acidic soil, and regions вЂalong the east and west coasts, along the Gulf of Mexico and around the Great LakesвЂ™ offer suitable conditions, according to the American Rhododendron Society (opens in new tab) (ARS). If you live in a warmer climate, youвЂ™ll want to make sure the plant is in an area that gets decent shade in the afternoon for them to thrive.вЂ™ вЂThey do fine with some warmth, but they canвЂ™t handle severely hot temperatures. вЂRhododendrons prefer to have a more moist climate with a decent amount of rainfall,вЂ™ says JonnyВ Livingston of Gardeners Dream (opens in new tab).

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