With proper timing and preparation, rhododendrons should settle well into their new homes. In warmer climates, this is late summer to late fall. The soil pH level can be tested using a kit available from your local garden center. In moderate climates, rhododendrons can be moved any time of year except during hot spells and right after flowering. Azaleas and rhododendrons are shrubs for all seasons. Excavate a 12-inch-deep hole at the new planting site. I did transplant 1 of 4 plants from the same area (taking a chance) late spring, cool early summer. Hooray, it is planting season! She is passionate about reshaping the way people experience gardens and gardening. What seemed like the perfect planting site for your rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) Using the proper techniques for transplanting rhododendrons will help ensure the health and vibrancy of rhododendron plants for many years to come. Early spring transplanting lets rhododendrons adjust during milder summer and fall temperatures. Even though rhododendron is our state flower, they need some special care, especially when first planted. If the plant cannot be transplanted immediately, it can be put in a container with plenty of mulch to keep the roots from dying in cold temperatures. Follow these tips to ensure successful transplanting of your rhododendrons. I did not dig around and there may be multiple shrubs growing next to each other. In moderate climates, rhododendrons can be moved any time of year except during hot spells and right after flowering. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and … Everything you need to know about choosing the right rhododendron for you. One-half pound of elemental sulfur lowers the pH level 1/2 point per 100 square feet in sandy soil, but clay soil may need 2 1/2 pounds of elemental sulfur to lower its pH level 1/2 point. Soft new growth forms right under spent rhododendron flowers. … 1 Response. Step 2 Cut back on high-nitrogen fertilizer because too much causes shoot growth, not bloom. When a plant is moved to its new location, it can be transported in a cart or slid over the lawn on a tarp. Delay transplanting until after the period of soft growth. Transplanting Native Azaleas and Their Propagation by Root Cuttings Fred C. Galle, Pine Mountain, GA For more than twenty-five years, in developing Callaway Gardens, we have collected many thousand native azaleas, both from our own properties and from land which was being cleared for development, in the general area and even some outside the state. Step 2 - Prepare the Soil. Discover rhododendrons. If one of your plants does need a little shaping, early spring or late winter near the end of the dormant season is the best time to shape it, depending upon your region. In cool climates, cold winters bring added stress. If a shrub must be transported by vehicle to another location, then the cloth or tarp can protect the entire plant -- from roots to leaves. Keywords: Transplanting, Rhododendron. and most have showy flower displays. A large pot of blooming rhododendrons in the backyard. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil with a pH of about 5.5. The roots run wide and shallow. Rhododendrons like moist soil, but their roots will rot easily if they get too soggy, so make sure your container has plenty of drainage holes. PH test kits are simple to use and available to purchase at garden centers. When are the best times to transplant established Azaleas. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Thanks, L. Balog. Leave each planting hole's bottom firm and intact for plant support. Guide to safely moving and transplanting Rhododendrons, Roses and other large plants. Apply a 3-inch-thick layer of coarse bark mulch over the area; keep the mulch 3 inches from each shrub's trunk. ), Although you can transplant new azaleas at any time of year, fall is the best time because the shrubs have time to establish a healthy root system before being exposed to summer heat the following year. Dig a 5-foot-diameter circle around the rhododendron. may fall short of expectations over time. Early spring transplanting lets rhododendrons adjust during milder summer and fall temperatures. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w-----How to Transplant Rhododendrons. Get involved. grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety. Rhododendrons and azaleas have shallow, pancake-like roots that transplant easily, allowing themselves to be pried up. Immature plants need growing room. Rhododendrons flourish in light, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. 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