How Long Will Rhododendrons Produce Blooms?

Log in or Sign up

• Home
• Forums

  Forums

  Quick Links
  • Recent Posts
• Media

  Media

  Quick Links
  • New Media
• Help and Resources

  Help and Resources

  Quick Links
  • Most Active Authors
  • Latest Reviews
• About these Forums
• Menu

• Log in or Sign up

UBC Botanical Garden Forums Home Forums > Plants by Groups > Ericaceae (rhododendrons, arbutus, etc.) > Rhododendrons: How long will Rhododendrons produce blooms?

Discussion in 'Ericaceae (rhododendrons, arbutus, etc.)' started by HpyTwoBMe, Apr 23, 2006.

1. 

   HpyTwoBMe Member

   Messages: 2 Likes Received: 0 Location: Jackson MI

   I purchased and planted some Rhododendron 'Aglo' because I was told it would bloom from spring to summer. After reading the message boards I'm not so sure. I planted them in locations that I wanted summer color and am concerned I will end up with green on top of green. Is there anything I can do to assist or increase the blooms?

   HpyTwoBMe, Apr 23, 2006 #1
2. 

   Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

   Messages: 21,397 Likes Received: 850 Location: Not here

   Most kinds in peak bloom for only a short time, say a week or two. Early blooming kinds last longer, because it is cooler--as long as the flowers are not frosted. Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons says 'Aglo' blooms 'Early Midseason' (April 15-May 1) and is hardy to -25F. To get a long season with rhododendrons you need to plant multiple kinds in a planned sequence of bloom. To avoid monotony in a planting, get a nice textural balance you need to have a few largeleaf rhododendrons only with other kinds of shrubs making up the rest of it.

   Ron B, Apr 23, 2006 #2
3. 

   HpyTwoBMe Member

   Messages: 2 Likes Received: 0 Location: Jackson MI

   Thanks Ron. I guess I should have done my own research before purchasing them. Figured I could have trusted what I was told, but my bad. You've been a great help.

   HpyTwoBMe, Apr 24, 2006 #3
4. 

   4moreaction Member

   Messages: 25 Likes Received: 0 Location: Algarve, Portugal

   ...hmm... ever considered planting some clematis X hybr. amongst your rhododendrons...'HpyTwoBMe'.... then you have flowers for the summer

   4moreaction, Jan 19, 2007 #4
5. 

   Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

   Messages: 21,397 Likes Received: 850 Location: Not here

   Lilies can work well, popping up between the rhododendrons. Clematis would grow onto them, twining vines could be quite a bother to pull off without tearing soft leaves of rhododendrons. Whether cutting back to tidy up in spring those clematis that flower on new shoots or to thin out those that flower off of old stems, to prevent them from smothering rhododendrons pulling sections of them off of the shrubs is highly likely to occur.

   Ron B, Jan 19, 2007 #5
6. 

   westcoastgarden Active Member

   Messages: 130 Likes Received: 0 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada

   Ron B said: ↑

   Lilies can work well, popping up between the rhododendrons. Click to expand...

   I grow lilies under most of my rhododendrons and I have been very happy with the effect. I find the asiatics work best and are reliable - the orientals are just too big for some of the smaller or denser rhodo's. The trumpet varieties don't survive more than a year or two in my garden. The rhododendrons provide good support for the stems of the lilies. WCG

   westcoastgarden, Mar 12, 2007 #6

(You must log in or sign up to reply here.) Show Ignored Content

Share This Page

Your name or email address: Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in UBC Botanical Garden Forums Home Forums > Plants by Groups > Ericaceae (rhododendrons, arbutus, etc.) >