Rhododendron
An ornamental plant, planted March to April or October, or sown in January.
In September: nothing to do.
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Rhododendron, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown rhododendron. | none | usual | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Feed the rhododendron. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | usual | none | none |
| Mulch the rhododendron. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Prune the rhododendron. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in January, on the surface. Moderate source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown rhododendron March to April, and October, 60cm to 4m apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Glendoick.
Feed the rhododendron
Use an ericaceous fertiliser, made for acid-loving shrubs.
Usually March, and June. Moderate sources: Gardeners’ World and Millais Nurseries.
Mulch the rhododendron
Spread at least 7.5cm of chipped conifer bark or other acidic material; don’t firm it down.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: RHS.
Prune the rhododendron
Little is needed: remove dead wood and deadhead faded flowers if practical.
Usually June. Moderate source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Rhododendron” comes from.