'Gertrude Schale'

 

Planting:

Make sure the root ball is moist; soak it well by plunging the pot in a bucket of water for an hour or so. Dig the hole larger than the pot the plant arrives in. Incorporate some ericaceous compost into the soil to improve the condition. Rhododendrons and Azaleas like moist but free-draining soil which is lime-free. If you have doubts about the type of your soil this can be checked with a simple soil-testing kit. If acid-loving plants are growing happily in your area you should have no problems. (Apart from Rhododendrons these include Camellias, heathers and Pieris among many others.) Remove the pot and gently tease some of the roots free. Place in the hole and back fill with the improved soil mix. Firm in well, making sure the root ball is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Water in well. If your soil is too alkaline for acid-loving plants, the smaller, more compact forms can be grown in large pots using a good lime-free compost and feeding with ericaceous plant food.

 

After care:

Rhododendrons and Azaleas tend to have shallow root systems so can easily suffer in dry weather. During the first growing season it is important to water well in dry spells until the plant is established. Generally speaking no pruning is necessary, just remove any dead wood. Feed with ericaceous plant food in the spring after the first season and keep the area around the plant weed free and well mulched.