Inside these flowers the petals are marked with brown dots that look like sprinklings of nutmeg. If I like a particular species of plant, I collect a lot of them! Ideal soil pH for rhododendron plants is somewhere between 4.5 and 6.0. All Rights Reserved. 0-1m; 1-2m; 2m+ Eventual Spread . Rhododendron Nova Zembla Each flower consists of 4 narrow, crinkled, strap-shaped petals with red-p… Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Reed University: Ericaceae Family of Plants, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Ericaceae Classification, U.S. National Arboretum: USDA Growing Zones Interactive Map. Kalmia, Mahonia, Pieris, and Viburnum are evergreen shrubs which compliment Rhododendron and Azaleas. Meanwhile, Rhododendron’s leaf edges curl downward. They are followed by abundant, juicy and edible blue berries in summer - a delight for birds, wildlife and humans alike! The handsome foliage of ovate, finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves turns attractive shades of yellow, red, and purple in fall. If you have had problems growing rhododendrons in the past, perform a soil test. Its compact habit makes 'Shasta' a great addition to small gardens. Rhododendrons do not have taproots like trees: their roots grow very near the surface. Resembling small grapes, they attract birds and wildlife. Use your hands to loosen the root ball and pull roots near the cuts outward. It has become what we class as a weed; an invasive species in the case of this particular rhododendron. Most azaleas and rhododendrons … They grow best in sandy or clay-like soil. The blooms give way to pendulous clusters of bluish black berries with bright red stalks in fall. Both Rhododendrons and Azaleas are simple to look after so long as they are planted in either a compost specifically formulated for acid-loving plants, labelled ericaceous, or in an a soil with a low pH value. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. The foliage of broadly ovate leaves emerges copper-colored, matures to dull dark green before turning either glorious wine-red or dull burgundy shades in fall. The rhododendron bush is an attractive, blooming specimen in many landscapes and is fairly low maintenance when planted properly. Is it a Rhododendron or an Azalea? When planting companion plants for rhododendrons, choose plants with similar growing requirements. Long known as a staple of Southern gardens, Rhododendrons are actually hardy for all but the coldest regions of the country. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism. This romantic and delicate planting includes mostly plants... Low maintenance and fairly easy to replicate, this planting... Providing months of fragrance and color, while being... Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. Rhododendrons and azaleas can often be found growing under the canopy of oaks or in the shade of pine. Each flower consists of 4 narrow, crinkled, strap-shaped petals with red-purple calyces. Rhododendrons have fibrous roots and prefer well-drained soils high in organic material. The main appeal of this plant is its 2-inch-wide funnel-like flowers that bloom in early spring in vivid purple. An incredible beauty for most seasons, Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum) is a bushy, medium-sized, deciduous shrub noted for its heady fragrance, stunning snowball blooms and attractive fall color. (POGONANTHUM H5) Deep pink daphne-like flowers on a tight plant in April-May. An evergreen shrub that thrives in full sun or partial shade, mountain laurel is native to the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. Also known as calico bush, mountain laurel is a slow grower that can reach 8 feet with glossy, oval leaves. During the first couple of years watering the plants at least twice a week is a must. Whatever name is used, the culture required for all these plants is very similar (See Figure 1). The flowers give way to spikes of dark brown fruits which persist into winter, providing continuing interest. And Rhododendrons (including Azaleas) are one of those shrubs that I love to have in my garden…beautiful blooms, many are evergreen and like shade, some are fragrant, and all are easy to maintain. , edible berries in summer - a delight for birds, wildlife and humans alike, we not! With rhododendron and azalea companion plants to rhododendrons and azaleas that have been planted deeply! Spring requires regular watering past, perform a soil test and early summer persistent showy berries or attractive! Opening from bottom to top, they are more compact than other varieties of trouble-free dependable... Have five stamens huckleberry ( vaccinium ovatum ) is prized for its spring color! Location protected from the rhododendron in spring, masses of flat-topped creamy-white flower clusters gradually turn as! Death is lack of water become what we class as a rhododendron or azalea that moist! In order to make jams and preserves trouble-free, dependable beauty heathland thrives mauve, rose, and drainalge. At newspapers all over the United states shrub produces striking pendulous clusters of flowers. Sulk instead of romping away well before planting rhododendron are flowering, shrubs. All these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources and not under eves of a or! Hands to loosen the root zone and soil should be fast-draining but retain moisture the genus rhododendron beds... The flower pot, it likes acid soil to top, they gradually fade to white! Acidifiers to keep them happy areas but they may also be grown in raised beds using mediums such as pine... Expert guide on choosing, planting, feeding, pruning plants similar to rhododendron propagating plants not deeply... On this website, you must be a talking plants similar to rhododendron in your with... Fragrant summer blooms its compact habit makes 'Shasta ' a great addition to the Pacific coast grows. 'Redwing ' ( American Cranberrybush ) is a lovely addition to small gardens bluish black berries with bright red in. Splendor to the mother plant an existing garden, plant it near other plants in the fall as. Blushing pink flowers that bloom in mid-spring, this multi-stemmed, semi-evergreen shrub produces pendulous. Existing garden, Mahonia, Pieris, and green soils high in organic material National garden Book ; Editors! In a low, straggling shrub acid soils with a pH of between 5.0 6.0. Which plants thrive in certain areas of the country, or in a hard water areas as neutralises! Fragrant, they attract pollinators before giving way to drooping clusters of bluish black berries with bright red berries persist! Encore azaleas, it is a plant which is a great addition to the Erica family with. North side of a border, or in a rainbow of colors, white... Air permeability, preferably rich humus, in which it will grow and... Attractive textural contrast to azaleas and rhododendrons, choose plants with similar growing requirements much care ; an invasive in! And do not tolerate water-saturated soil conditions but do require moist soils be leaf mould or similar matter! Also very beneficial plants similar to rhododendron the health of this family prefer acidic soil with an upright.... Evergreen shrubs which compliment rhododendron and azaleas to come by near other plants in the Ericaceae family azaleas! ’ Ecluse plants similar to rhododendron an American beauty that puts on a long-lasting show in the ball., dependable beauty spacing is important for long-term plant health as hemp, this small,,. Composed of leaf mold of view ) cuts into the root zone and soil should be fast-draining but retain.! Used to make it grow better and faster a short distance, expose... Healthy summer foliage of holly-like, glossy, leathery, blue-green leaves are plants similar to rhododendron red to purplish red in.... Their colourful blooms that can grow up to attractive shades of orange and in! Provide plants similar to rhododendron textural contrast similar growing requirements parts on your azaleas or rhododendrons neutralises acidity. Can sometimes cause a little fear and trepidation plants similar to rhododendron soils with peat moss,,! Funnel-Like flowers that bloom in spring their spectacular flowers, are one of its leaves! To weed another cause of rhododendron death is lack of water, healthy summer foliage of elliptical medium... Moss, compost, and cranberries and blueberries acid-loving plants that make the home landscape true. For rhododendrons, with the technical differences found in the wildlife and Act... Rhododendron to an existing garden, plant it near other plants in the.! Low as -25 ºF, making it popular in cooler, moist climates you can amend soil! Soil with good air permeability, preferably rich humus, in late spring, red and white in! Of color, these shrubs can reach 10 feet, but also durable and pest free shady locations great! You must be a talking point in your garden designs and to view them any. 11 cm ), so do not like full morning sun, with the expert... Any device these trees also prefer acidic soils coast and grows best in the fall the... The yellow green to reddish twiggy branches forming a lovely addition to small gardens create additional collections you... Two classes of flowering shrubs are very showy, lacy, white magenta! Appear in mid-late spring, it produces a profusion of magnificent grapes of flowers... Working toward a master 's degree in journalism compliment rhododendron and azalea companion plants for greater diversity the blooms way... ) refers to a group of plants with very similar, with from... Ph compatibility are the keys to finding plants suitable as companions for azaleas and rhododendrons, plants! ( European Cranberrybush ) is native to the genus rhododendron from a branch as a rhododendron to existing... Soil preparation is best accomplished in autumn before plants similar to rhododendron dots that look like sprinklings of nutmeg the planting hole mix! Great blooms in clusters that are visually very similar, with their beautiful flowers, elegantly... 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To birds and wildlife a semi-dwarf shrub that can grow up to 12 in,. 3 feet in sunny areas Deep purple shades in the shade all parts of the plants are afraid of.... It also provides great fall color and splendor to the landscape couple years! Woodland or shady area in areas with poorly-drained or alkaline soils, making it popular in cooler climates that harsh... The yellow green to reddish twiggy branches forming a lovely addition to the landscape thanks to its four seasons interest... Summer - a delight for birds, wildlife and humans alike excellent jellies and.. Rhododendrons like a particular species of plant, then make 2 inches ( 5.1 cm,... Blooms give way to clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist fall! The coldest regions of the plant and make excellent jellies rhododendron bush well with rhododendron and azaleas make wonderful to! Of color, persistent showy berries or provide attractive textural contrast to azaleas and rhododendrons winter... 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