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Rhododendron novice
nicolajane
Posts: 6
in Plants
Hi, could anyone give me advice on this...i'm new to the gardening world?
I'd like to buy a large Hybrid rhododendron for my garden, for next year. Preferably a Loderi or Mrs Charles Pearson.
i was wondering if it's possible to buy a 15-20litre one and from where?
I realise i'm late in the season for this and most garden centres don't have many now.
I have a large space in my garden and want to fill it with a shrub for next year. I fear the 7litre ones will take too long to grow.
many thanks
Nx
0
Posts
Hi N. There is a link below from a place that sells big rhodies and azaleas:
http://www.provendernurseries.co.uk/results_category.cfm?c=RHODODENDRONS%20%26%20AZALEAS&letter=R.
You could contact them and ask. It is going to cost you around £100 for something that size. I'd still go for a smaller one and watch it grow. They are not all that slow. Provender Nurseries will be able to advise I'm sure. x
It's much easier to establish smaller plants than big ones but it's entirely up to you and your budget. Just make sure that whichever you choose to do, you water the plant in its pot thoroughly, prepare the hole well, back fill with soil enhanced by leaf mould and/or well rotted compost and manure and water in well with rain water.
Best time to do this is the autumn when natural rainfall will keep it moist until its roots start growing out into the soil and it can fend for itself. Never let them dry out in August September as this is when they are forming their buds for the spring show.
Great, thank you for the tips.
Yes, i think i'll go with your advice and buy something smaller.
HI nicolajane - depends where you are. I've just bought a 20l rhodo - the grower is Osberton Nurseries, and they send 20l & 40l plants out to garden centres in the Midlands and beyond. I've found them very helpful - if you contact James McCardle at [email protected], he'll be able to advise. Their website is http://www.osberton.co.uk/ and all the plants I've seen were in fantastic condition and quite a bit cheaper than most of the mail-order firms. No connection, just very pleased with both goods & service.
Rob
Just read the post above - my 20l one was £60 - think the 40l ones go for around £125. Most will be sold by now but I think some are made available around Sept for autumn planting.
Cheers Rob, i'll send James a message and see what he has.
N.
Nicola - I'll just back up what obleixx has said re the establishment of smaller plants over bigger ones, but if you have your heart set on a bigger specimen, take care with the prep for it and keep an eye on it till it's growing well. It's an expensive outlay so it's always worth investing well in the planting hole and aftercare too
A healthy plant filling a 7or 8 litre, or even a 10 litre pot, will put on a fair amount of growth over the rest of this year, given the right coAnditions and care.
Last edited: 14 June 2016 12:50:58
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...