PLANTING AND CARE 
Rhododendrons 
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 Rho- 
dodendron, Pieris, Leiophyllum and Kalmia will do 
well in either sunny or shaded locations. Azaleas 
prefer sun or plenty of light. 
Type of Soil — 
Provide a loose, light, fibrous soil, as is com- 
monly called woods-soil. Good drainage is essen- 
tial 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 
contains lime correct it. You can easily do this 
by adding 1 to 1 pound of Aluminum Sulphate to 
each square yard of soil surface. 
Depth of Planting — 
Rhododendrons should be planted very shallow 
with practcially 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 the roots 
so there will be no air pockets. 
CROWN 1 
(KEEP SOIL AWAY) 
= l-——_ <i Re aA 
ee < Pee (SOL LEVE LS 
; Uh © Sa VL |NOT MORE THAN 
MLE ifded plas oe 1/NCH SOIL OVER 
EDGE OF BALL. 


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 throughout the year. During 
the winter it will prevent freezing and thawing 
and in the summer will keep the soil cool and moist. 
