Rhododendron Culture 
By ROY C. ROBINETTE 
All plants of the Rhododendron family are surface feeding and must be 
planted shallow; also, the top of the crown must be well drained. If the 
location where they are to be planted is fairly well sloping, the ball of the 
plant should be placed just even with the surface; if the location is level 
and does not drain well, the bail of the plant should extend i to ^ inches 
above the surface. In no case should earth be piled on top of the ball. 
When digging a hole for the plant, make it large enough so that about 
5 inches space remains on all sides, and fill in with soil other than rich or 
fertilized garden loam. It would be better to fill in with freshly ex¬ 
cavated clay unless woods or forest soil (not leaf-mold) is available, or 
top-soil that is generally considered too poor to grow most anything will 
do well. If this soil seems heavy and likely to pack too hard, mix with it 
sand, gravel, small rocks (not limestone), or any of the materials recom¬ 
mended for a mulch. 
In the case of limestone ground, excavate a foot deeper, make the 
hole larger, fill in with a neutral or acid soil, and keep well mulched 
with some sort of forest organic matter, which, in turn, will maintain 
an acid soil. 
The amount of shade and protection needed depends on the plant 
varieties and the part of the country where they are to be planted. 
Rhododendron maximum has the largest leaves and is thereby subject 
to a greater amount of transpiration through the leaves. It therefore 
requires more shade and protection from dry winds and should be 
planted on north or west exposures or in fairly well-shaded locations. 
R. catawbiense will stand much more exposure to sunshine and winds but 
should have some protection. Kalmias and Azaleas do well in either 
shade or sunny locations. 
All Rhododendrons like an acid soil, and as they are planted shallow, 
some protection must be given in order to keep them from drying out too 
easily. This is accomplished by maintaining a good mulch an inch or two 
deep which keeps the ground moist and in turn sours and acidifies it, as 
well as affording protection in extremely cold weather. For a mulch use 
any of the following: Sawdust, peat, or peat moss; any forest organic 
matter such as leaves, twigs, rotted wood, roots, or leaf-mold. Do not 
use garden fertilizers; they invariably destroy what you want to pre¬ 
serve. Use no mixture of soil or earth in the mulch; keep earth away 
from the top of the ball. 
In watering the plants, which ordinarily will not be necessary, you 
should apply the water indirectly, that is, around the edge and not 
through the ball, unless rainwater, or water that is known to be free of 
limestone, is available. This is very important in some sections where 
limestone water predominates, and there it will be well to dig a small 
trench around the ball for applying water indirectly; however, rain¬ 
water is good applied in any manner in any quantity; the plant may 
even be set under a drip, just so the water drains off well. 
Freezing weather will not harm Rhododendrons. They have been 
known to grow and thrive in localities subject to 20 and more below 
zero, without the slightest damage in any way. However, they will 
damaged some in localities subject to months of continuous freezing 
weather, unless the foliage is protected from sunshine and dry winds 
which eventually would dry out the plant. 
You can grow Rhododendrons in any location where a coniferous 
tree will thrive. In some sections, such as low and dry locations of the 
South and West, the transpiration or outward breathing of the plant 
must be considered. Select a cool, shady location protected from dry 
winds. When heavy-foliaged plants are being transplanted from their 
native grounds to these locations, they should be partially defoliated, 
allowing Nature to restore the foliage according to the ability of the 
roots to furnish moisture. 
Planting Rhododendrons in the right place is important, but there is 
no garden or home-ground without suitable spots for their growth. As 
it is impossible to make a rule to apply to all sections of the country, it 
is suggested that you write, giving us a sketch of the ground to be 
planted, showing slopes, terraces, houses, fences, trees, shrubs, etc., and 
directions. We can then take into consideration the part of the country 
where they are to be planted and make recommendations and land¬ 
scape suggestions; this we shall be glad to do without cost or obligation. 
NEW RIVER RHODODENDRON NURSERY PRINCETON, West Virginia 
