By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Select a rhododendron that meets your height specifications. Dwarf varieties such as Purple Gem are suitable for rock gardens. Giant varieties such as Rosebay are stand alone specimens that need room to reach mature heights of 30 feet or more.
Step2
Choose a semi-shady spot for your rhododendron. Although often touted as shade lovers, rhododendrons flower best in filtered light conditions.
Step3
Provide acidic, well drained soil. Rhododendrons appreciate moisture, but they do not like boggy conditions. Increase acidity and drainage at the same time by amending the soil with peat moss at planting time.
Step4
Be aware of the rhododendron's shallow-rooted tendencies. Cultivate lightly around the shrubs, and apply acidic mulch such as pine needles or pine bark nuggets to reduce weeds. Choose deep-rooted trees such as oaks or pines as companions to reduce competition for nutrients.
Step5
Provide moisture, even in the winter. Evergreen rhododendrons are susceptible to desiccation from moisture carried away from the leaves by dry winter winds. Water your rhododendrons monthly in dry winter seasons to prevent stressed plants.
Step6
Prune rhododendrons with care. Rhododendrons form next year's flower buds right behind the current year's flower head. Clip spent flower heads right at the base of the flower cluster to maintain the next season's blooms.
Step7
Watch for pests. Mealybugs show up as cotton like masses or black sooty mold on leaves. Apply summer horticultural oil during the growing season to control infestations and dormant oil in the winter to smother next year's population.
