Southern Gardening Guide

Spruce up your garden with fresh ideas and simple how-tos

Taking Care of Your Rhododendrons

Are your shrubs looking sickly? This South Carolina expert has the cure for what ails them.

Water and Mulch
Photography Ralph Anderson

Water and Mulch

Rhododendrons have shallow roots. Robert suggests watering in a band around each plant, starting at the trunk and running out 80% of the way to the dripline (the point where the widest branches reach). Water until you've wet the soil 6 inches deep. Cover the roots with several inches of mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. How can you tell when a plant needs water? "If it's late in the day in summer and the leaves are drooping and then the next morning they're straightened out, the plant is fine," he says. "But if leaves are still wilted the next morning, water."

NextThe Right Selections

Let There Be Light

Previous Slide Let There Be Light

4 of 6
Water and Mulch

  • Loading comments...

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining

More Ways To Get Southern Living

Advertisement

MOST POPULAR
1
86 Top-Rated Desserts

This luscious collection of desserts was chosen by you! They're so delicious you'll definitely be tempted to eat dessert first.

Caramelized Banana Pudding