Dig a hole about 5cm (2 inches) deep and peg the stem down with a sturdy forked twig or bent wire. Water well. Here are 4 ways to use ericaceous compost to bring out the best in rhododendrons: Work Ericaceous Compost Into The Soil Before Planting

Rhododendrons do produce showy, beautiful blossoms but unlike other flowering, acid-loving plants, they do not require a fertilizer high in phosphorus; they prefer a more balanced fertilizer for strong, healthy growth. One of the reasons that people notice yellowing of the leaves on their Rhododendron is because they use tap water which is too hard. If at all possible, collect rainwater throughout the year and use that to water your Rhododendrons. If that runs out you can always go to tap water for a month or two in the hottest parts of the year, something we have previously mentioned. Feeding Ericaceous plants needs to live in the correct soil for their vitamin needs- while lime-rich, high pH (alkaline) soil tends to bind the iron and other nutrients essential for healthy growth. Plants that need nutrients which are inaccessible in high pH soil are known as acid-loving (or lime-hating). If planted in normal, limey or alkaline soil,Ericaceous plants produce weak, yellow leaves and generally perform poorly. Rhododendrons don't like having wet feet; in fact, soggy, waterlogged ground is the most common cause of failure. If you have a heavy clay soil, plant your rhododendron in a mound of improved soil as described below. On the flip-side, rhododendrons do like lots of moisture so avoid planting under the eves of building were rainwater won't find it's way to their roots. Azaleas are a bit more forgiving of soil conditions but again acidity is key. A plantaholic with roots firmly planted in working-class NE England, she aims to make gardening more accessible to the often excluded - the less able, the hard-up or beginners.Nitrogen is one of the main essential nutrients; its primary responsibility in a plant is vegetative growth. Based on that, when searching for the best fertilizer for rhododendrons, look for one that is specifically formulated for acid-loving plants will help maintain the lower soil pH level that rhododendrons prefer. Rhododendrons are frost hardy in most of the UK with evergreens normally only requiring protection during severe winters. This can be achieved by wrapping a few layers of horticultural fleece around your plants. Rhododendron cuttingsare taken from the current year’s growth duringlate summer or autumn, once the shoots have completed their seasonal growth and the bud is fully developed. Take cuttingswith a heel, and then wound the stemto encourage rooting

Camellias - stunning flowers with a range of soft colours matched only by their elegant, almost porcelain beauty. Read more on RHS

Shop my favourite gardening books, products or tools

Rhododendrons do not require any pruning other than to remove any dead, damaged and crossing branches. It has an acidic pH. Ericaceous compost’s pH (around 4.0 to 5.0) creates the acidic environment rhododendrons are so fond of. with compost being an excellent choice. Soil bacteria acting on compost produces humus that binds with soil If attempting to grow rhododendrons where pH values are higher than pH 6.0 it may be advisable to limit planting to these species and hybrids which may show some tolerance as a result of their parentage. Having as one parent a species from the Triflorum series, the following cultivars might be considered:

Most fertilizers will come with clear instructions for the amount recommended for use. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations thoroughly before applying any fertilizer to your soil. Because rhododendron roots are so thin and delicate near the surface of the soil, too much pressure can cause issues. They also need access to oxygen, which can be cut down too much with the addition of weed cloth.Roseum Elegans Rhododendron ( Rhododendron x ‘Roseum Elegans’) is a hybrid that grows 6 to 8 feet in height and width. The large pink-rose flowers resemble lilac. It is suitable for USDA zones 4-8. Curlew has lovely lemon flowers in April and is a tiny variety that reaches only 40 cm (16 inches). As with all evergreen shrubs, each year a proportion of the foliage (mainly older leaves) areshed in spring and summer. This is normal and not a cause for concern Do not plant too deeply - all rhododendrons are surface-rooting and the roots should be just covered