How to Care for Rhododendrons in the Winter

Winterize your rhododendrons.

"Sunset Western Garden Book" states that there are over 10,000 varieties of rhododendrons. With so many, there might be one hardy shrub for each planting zone. Yet, these woody flowering plants still need protection in the winter to make their best blooms come spring. Since they're shallow-rooted, they require insulation from the cold. If your rhododendron shrub isn't dormant when freezing weather begins, it will suffer damage. In addition, the winter wind and sun can kill flower buds, spoiling spring for you.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer
• Burlap
• Stakes
• Rake
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Fertilize your rhododendrons up until mid-July. Then, stop feeding them to begin to slow down their development, leading the plants into dormancy by winter.

2. Rake the summer mulch away from the base of the plants in early fall to help the stems slowly adapt to the changing temperatures. Replace the mulch, keeping it in physical contact with the base of the rhododendrons, before the first hard frost.

3. Build a screen with burlap and stakes around your rhododendron shrubs to protect them from winter wind and to provide filtered sunlight. Wind and sun split the plants' bark, damage and kill flower buds, and dry up the leaves.

References

• "Sunset Western Garden Book"; Kathleen Norris Brenzel; 2001
• Oregon State University Extension Service: Azalea and Rhododendron Care and Culture
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Azaleas and Rhododendrons