Planting Rhododendrons

Here at OH! My Garden we will tell of the trials and tribulation of having a garden in the South, the soil is sand. This area is called the sandhills and that is just what the soil mostly consist of. The soil is an acid soil and has a limited amount of flowers and gardening plants that will grow, we work hard to get it to a better growing medium.

Certain plants love this acid soil such as azaleas, rhododendrens, camelias and gardenias. I am accumulating a list of perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees that are acid loving plants that I can grow in my sandy soil.

My favorite plants are herbs and I am working to get an assortment of herbs growing in my garden. Since my sandy soil is not the type of soil some of these herbs need to grow, I have started some raised herb beds to help accomplish my goal of having a large variety of herbs.

Spring blooming Primroses

Planting Rhododendrons

Posted by Patricia Jones on Saturday, May 30, 2009 Under: Plants

I live in the south, my soil is very sandy and acid, my dad calls it "sweet sand" because it's almost like beach sand. I have to work very hard to get my soil in better condition to grow plants other than those that are acid loving plants. I have no problem growing azalea's, gardenia's, and wild roses.

I planted a Rhododendron this year. They like well drained acid soil, partially shaded, usually around pine trees. The area I choose had been covered in pinestraw for a long time and the soil isn't very fertile. I turned the soil over good then added lots of mulch before planting. I have been forewarned that my plant may not survive. I will keep this updated to let you know my success or failure.
I am going to try rooting a few cuttings just in case I fail with this one. The best time to take cuttings is in the summer around the middle of July. Softwood or semi-hardwood would be the best to get cuttings from. Rooting success is considered low, but will give it a try.

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Planting Rhododendrons