Not sure why, but I also lost 3 large Rhodies this summer. Noticed the
leaves are all brown and curled up and the stems are browning also. I
heavily mulched them in the spring, and they are in a shady natural area. I
did no extra watering last year and they made it through the draught. No
watering this year - needless to say. The spot was always a very wet area -
especially in the spring. Maybe is was the root rot, or else too much mulch
(about 8").

I am more concerned about the loss of my oak trees. I'll start another
thread for that.

Robert

"Mark" wrote in message
...
I have (had) three Lee's Dark Purple Rhododendrons that I am very fond
of. I have really tried to nurture them and had high hopes for their
success. They were planted in Dec. '99 and seemed to be doing quite
well, even making it through last summer's drought (with frequent
watering).

But I have lost one and I believe that I may be losing another. They
are wilting in sections. It can be new growth or old, but the leaves of
an entire branch will start to wilt, then another branch will go. They
are in a natural area among Pine trees. Some Azeleas nearby are doing
great!

They have no obvious signs of disease. They were planted pretty shallow
with peat moss and mini pine nuggets as soil amendments. It is odd that
they would grow for four years, then succumb during a relatively mild
and wet summer ...

Thanks for listening!

--
Mark
Raleigh, NC USA