Rhododendrons and hydrangeas are completely unrelated plants with very different appearances, but they do share some traits in the growing conditions they prefer.
Where should you not plant hydrangeas?
No hydrangea will do well in HEAVY shade, such as under a shade tree. The blooms will be sparse and will not develop fully. If your landscape is mostly sunny (and hot), you may wish to grow the PeeGee (paniculata) hydrangea, which thrives in all day sun as long as it receives adequate moisture.
Is rhododendron and azalea the same?
Rhododendrons and Azaleas are both from the Rhododendron family. Rhododendron is a genus (group) of plants with common characteristics, whilst azaleas are a sub-group within this genus, rather than being a genus of their own.
Do rhododendrons like sun or shade?
Traditional rhododendrons thrive in filtered sunlight and acidic soil. Newer varieties can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, but always check the plant tag or description when shopping to make sure the plant needs match your garden conditions.
Are rhododendrons related to hydrangeas? – Related Questions
Where should I plant a rhododendron in my yard?
Avoid full sun or deep shade. Shrubs need six hours of sun daily. If you live in the warmer end of their growing zones, be sure you choose a site that gets afternoon shade. Soil should be well-drained, moist, and acidic (pH 4.5 to 6).
Where is the best place to plant a rhododendron?
The ideal site for planting rhododendrons is semi-shaded to sunny. It must also be sheltered from the prevailing winds, particularly in winter, as rhododendrons are highly prone to wind damage.
Can rhododendrons grow in full shade?
Rhododendrons and azaleas, which are among the most popular flowering plants for shade, are commonly thought to be, as a group, amenable to low-light conditions. In fact, all of them need some sun to produce the most profuse flowers, but some need more sun than others.
Can a rhododendron get too much sun?
Sunburn. Rhododendrons and azaleas are shade plants in their native environments. When planted in full sun, scalding may occur, killing the leaf tissue. Injury, usually to the center portion of the leaf, is unsightly but does not increase in size.
How many hours of sun can rhododendrons tolerate?
Plant in full sun to increase flowers and avoid mildew problems. Shrubs need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun daily. Plant on the sheltered side of a windbreak. If subjected to cold, dry winds, their leaves and buds dry out and die, especially during winter winds.
Can rhododendrons survive in shade?
Rhododendrons are perfect spring-flowering plants for brightening up shady gardens. They succeed in partial or moderate (but not full) shade while azaleas – part of the rhododendron group – will thrive providing they get at least 4 hours or more of direct sun per day.
How far away from a house should you plant a rhododendron?
Medium shrubs like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Spirea, Holly and Boxwood go 2.5-3′ from the side of the house.
Can rhododendrons be planted close to house?
In the country or other open areas, Rhododendrons and Azaleas will usually thrive on either the north or east side of a house. If planting on the north side, place the plant three to four feet away from the foundation of your house. In this way, the plants will receive adequate light when the sun is high during summer.
Should I cover my rhododendron for winter?
PJM type rhododendrons in most years will not require extra winter care. For the other years protection from the winter sun and wind is the most important measure you can take. This is best accomplished by wrapping the plant in burlap, or enclosing it in a burlap tent.
Should rhododendrons be cut back in the fall?
You can prune a rhododendron almost any time of year without harming it, but the best time is within a few weeks after it has finished blooming, to give it the maximum time to set flower buds for next year.
What happens if I don’t deadhead my rhododendron?
If you don’t do this task, your rhody will pump out about the same amount of flowers next spring as it did this year. If your goal is to produce more flowers, deadheading will encourage increased branching, and that usually results in more blooms (note the word “usually”).
How do you winterize hydrangeas?
The simplest method is to mound shredded leaves or bark mulch around the base of the plant to about 12 inches or so. Put the mulch mound in place in late fall after the ground freezes, and uncover plants in spring when temperatures begin to stay above freezing.
Should hydrangeas be cut back for the winter?
Cut back these shrubs in late winter before new growth begins. Because they need to grow and set buds the same year that they bloom, shrubs that flower on new wood generally start blossoming later than old-growth bloomers, beginning in midsummer and continuing until the first frost.
What happens if you don’t cut back hydrangeas?
What happens if you don’t prune hydrangeas? If you don’t prune hydrangeas then they can eventually resemble a tangled mass of woody stems, and the flowers will become smaller and less showy. If your hydrangeas are not blooming, lack of pruning is often a reason.