Quote:
Originally Posted by
We have a site where we have cleared a number of large (i.e 50ft high)
Leylandii and we're thinking of planting some rhododendrons there.
From what I have read etc. it would seem that they will like the
acidity etc. but I'm not quite sure if the ground will be damp enough
for them. Although there is a lot of humus the underlying ground is
sandy and well drained so it's relatively dry and rainfall is low
(we're in Suffolk) - though you might not think so just at the moment!
So, will rhododenrons be OK?
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I, and plenty of my neighbours, grow (small) rhodies on dry stony ground in the Chilterns, fortunately not chalky where we are, but we sit in a small local micro-climate that has lower summer rainfall than most places in the Chilterns. I water them in dry weather (last year I was watering in Feb, very pleased with this winter's rainfall), and mulch the soil with bark to reduce water loss, and use special acid plant fertiliser, and scatter a bit of ferrous sulphate once a year to keep up the acidity.
Sandy soil with plenty of humus sounds ideal if you are prepared to water them in dry spells. They flower best if well fed - feed them especially just after flowering to recover their energy, and remember their flower buds build during winter. I have a couple of early flowering ones which need fleecing if frost threatens just before flowering time. I have found the evergreen and semi-evergreen types do better for me, perhaps the tougher leaves loose less water.