The Planting and Care of Rhededendrons, Azaleas 
and Other Native Plants 
Location—Plant Rhododendron Maximum and Leucothoe on the north and west sides of 
buildings and slopes, and protect from strong winds. The other Rhododendrons, Pieris, 
Leiophyllum and Kalmia will do well in either sunny or shaded locations. Azaleas pre- 
fer sun or plenty of light. 
Type of Soil— Provide a loose, light, fibrous soil, as is commonly called woods-soil. Good 
drainage is essential and necessary, so that water will not stand about the roots. Nearly 
all soils except heavy clay are suitable, but are improved by adding peat moss, decayed 
leaf mold, old hard-wood sawdust, or acid humus. Your soil must be acid, and if it con- 
tains lime correct it. You can easily do this by adding 14 to 1 pound of Aluminum 
Sulphate to each square yard of soil surface. 
Depth of Planting—Rhododendrons should be planted very shallow with practically 
no soil over the earth-ball, 
and none over the crown of 
the root. Dig a hole large 
enough to admit the earth- 
ball without cramping and 
press the soil firmly around 
so there will be no _ air 


CROWN 
(KEEP SOIL AWAY) 
PERMANENT 
” [$O/L LEVEL 
NOT MORE THAN 
1i/NCH SOIL OVER 
pockets. EDGE OF BALL. 
Watering —Because Rhododendrons are often found growing along banks of streams 
many people think Rhododendrons require a lot of water. This is not true and a lot of 
water is not necessary. They should be watered immediately after planting and several 
times weekly until they become established, but after that only during dry seasons. 
When watering saturate the ground, as one good application is better than several light 
sprinklings. 
Mulch __A mulch of three to five inches of hardwood leaves, or a lesser quantity of peat 
moss, leaf-mold, or old hardwood sawdust is very desirable and should be left on through- 
out the year. During the winter it will prevent freezing and thawing and in the summer 
will keep the soil cool and moist. 
Fertilization —Rhododendrons may be fertilized by a very light application of well-rotted 
cow manure covering ground to a depth of 1 to 144 inches. Information covering fer- 
tization of large areas will gladly be supplied upon request. 
Pruning —Pruning other than the cutting out of dead wood which may appear, is not advis- 
able as new branches will not break from the old wood. To conserve the strength of the 
plant and encourage the growth of new leaves, the flower clusters may be pinched off as 
they begin to wither. The energy which would ordinarily go into producing seed is thus 
diverted to producing new foliage and flower buds for the following spring. 
