Why Is My Rhododendron Forming Buds In Summer After Initial Bloom

Skip to Main Content

LuEsther T. Mertz LibraryPlant & Research Help

Library Home Ask a Plant Expert Ask a Librarian All FAQs Library Home Ask a Plant Expert Ask a Librarian All FAQs Plant and Gardening FAQ

1. The LuEsther T. Mertz Library
2. NYBG Mertz Library Reference

• 1202 Answers
• Topics
  • 8Annual Plants
  • 4Aquatics
  • 5Bonsai
  • 2Botanical Art
  • 9Botany (Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Morphology)
  • 25Bulbs
  • 12Buying Plants
  • 3Chrysanthemums
  • 20Climbers
  • 20Composting and Fertilizing
  • 36Container Gardening
  • 10Drought Gardening
  • 88Edible Gardening
  • 2Education
  • 8Ferns
  • 9Groundcovers
  • 1Herbal Medicine
  • 1Horticultural Therapy
  • 281Houseplants
  • 8Hydrangeas
  • 100Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • 28Invasive Species
  • 2Landscape Design
  • 16Lawn Care
  • 3Mosses and Other Bryophytes
  • 9Mulching
  • 2Mushrooms and Other Fungi
  • 42Native Plants
  • 68NYBG Gardens
  • 46Orchids
  • 360Outdoor Gardening
  • 45Perennial Gardening
  • 5Plant Identification
  • 8Plant Morphology
  • 17Plant Science
  • 34Planting and Transplanting
  • 6Poisons and Toxins
  • 13Pollinators and Habitat Creation
  • 16Potting and Repotting
  • 5Preserving Plants and Saving Seeds
  • 43Propagating and Dividing
  • 62Pruning
  • 36Roses
  • 4Screening
  • 69Seasonal Chores
  • 13Seasonal Interest
  • 15Shade Gardening
  • 9Soil care & testing
  • 2Tree Removal
  • 249Trees and Shrubs
  • 26Weather and Climate
  • 13Weeding

NYBG Mertz Library Reference Search all Plant & Gardening FAQs Search

Why is my Rhododendron forming buds in summer after initial bloom; will they survive winter?

Answer

Rhododendrons form new buds during the summer; if you cut buds off during their development there will not be flowers for next year’s display. Many flowering shrubs form buds in the same season as they flower and it is natural for them to survive the winter, unless something unusual happens.

I’m sure you are curious about buds forming but not opening now; it’s just not time yet. But, there’s always an exception! If we happen to get a warming trend, some buds will open. Occasionally if the weather is extremely cold, buds may freeze and not survive well for the coming spring and summer flowering season.

Water well at least once a week during the growing season and add pine bark mulch to conserve moisture. Keep plants watered during warm winter weather. If we get enough rain once a week that may be sufficient so you don’t have to water.

Compost laid on top of the soil yearly in spring is always helpful to condition the soil. Once the ground is frozen, and you did not mulch around your shrub (6 inches away from the trunk), you can mulch with pine bark while the ground is frozen. Rhododendrons like acid soil and part shade.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service More from our helpful libguides here

Topics

• Trees and Shrubs

• Last Updated Feb 01, 2021
• Views 13832
• Answered By Anita Finkle

FAQ Actions

Was this helpful? Yes 0 No 0

• Print
• Tweet
• Share on Facebook

Ask a plant expert

Send us an email or use the question form below.

[email protected] [email protected]

Submit a question

Before submitting your question, try searching our Plant and Gardening FAQ page and Help Guides. Still need help? Fill out the form below and a plant expert will answer your individual plant and gardening questions. We will respond to questions in the order we receive them.

Your Question Question * More Detail/Explanation Your Info Email * Name Location * Type of Plant(s) * Leave this field blank Fields marked with * are required. Submit Your Question Powered by Springshare; All rights reserved. Report a tech support issue. Login to LibApps