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Quick growing rhododendron or azalea - is there such a thing?
happycottontail
Posts: 394
in Plants
I want to plant a couple of rhodis or azaleas in my garden, but as they are expensive, I think they will only be around 2' high when I buy them. Do I plant them at the back of the border and expect them to double their size in 5 years, or are all varieties slow growing and should be put in the middle of the border?
0
Posts
If you look on the labels when you choose them, it will say eventual height and over how many years, internet sites will be the same. they are all different, some azaelias stay small for pots others grow huge, none grow particularly fast, its best to read the labels.
Have a look at a specialist nursery that sells them...
their catalogue will help with colour, size, speed , height, date of flowering etc
Request a paper copy with all colour pics!
http://www.glendoick.com/index.php?page=onlinecat&listcat=1
I bought a few Azalea from Morrisons and Homebase last year. The Morrisons one was £5 I think and it has trebled in size to about 50cm by 70cm.
Rhoddies grow large and fast - esp pontus.
blairs...think you mean Rhododendron ponticum.
On no account plant this ....it is an invasive shrub .
It costs the country millions trying to irradicate it.
It smothers all our native wild flowers.
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/blog/the-problem-with-ponticum
Quote from wiki...
Invasive species
Suckering of the root, together with its abundant seed production, has led to it becoming an invasive species over much of western Europe and in parts of New Zealand. Rhododendron control, or "rhodie-bashing", is a key element in nature conservation in those areas.3] Conservation organisations in Britain now believe R. ponticum has become "a severe problem" in the native Atlantic oakwoods of the west highlands of Scotland and in Wales, and on heathlands in southern England, crowding out the native flora.4] Clearance strategies have been developed, including the flailing and cutting down of plants with follow-up herbicide spraying. Injection of herbicide into individual plants has been found to be more precise and effective.5]
Blairs. I dont like to disagree but I have a number of Rhodes and in 10 years they have probably only doubled in size.
Obviously there are many species but, the majority are slow growing.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
It depends on where you live. If you live in an area with poor dry sandy soil or alkali soil, then they will be crap. If you have rich acidic soil with wet weather, then they are rampant.
I bought two Rhodes from Morrisons last year and planted them in pots and they've more than doubled in size and have flowered beautifully this year. I also bought an Azelia which has grown really well but no flowers yet but not sure if it's flowering time for that yet anyway?
I too have bought from Morrisons , They are very good value ( I find almost every shrub is reasonable and very good quality . The ones I bought last year had put 4 inches to each Branch before I had them planted. The new foilage is the lighter green .They need erecacius compost , and lots of soft rainwater.You cant ever overwater them.let us know what you end up buying .- the scented ones are beautifull.