rhododendron question

[Anonymous]

I bought 2 rhododendron plants and planted them about 2 feet next to each other in the back of my yard. One is doing great and the other isn't doing well, what do you think is happening? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

As with any plant that is at the edge of hardiness in this region, many things can cause your Rhodi to fail -- too wet, too dry, winter too cold, summer too hot. We have all of those conditions here, and most rhodis just don't like that. And yet, sometimes they do just fine. Is yours an Iron Clad variety (they survive winters better).

http://www.rhododendron.org/v48n2p85.htm

Without more information it is hard to guess what happened to yours. What does it look like? What are the differences in the locations -- is one down hill, get more shade, closer to the street, does a dog "use" it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As with any plant that is at the edge of hardiness in this region, many things can cause your Rhodi to fail -- too wet, too dry, winter too cold, summer too hot. We have all of those conditions here, and most rhodis just don't like that. And yet, sometimes they do just fine. Is yours an Iron Clad variety (they survive winters better).

http://www.rhododendron.org/v48n2p85.htm

Without more information it is hard to guess what happened to yours. What does it look like? What are the differences in the locations -- is one down hill, get more shade, closer to the street, does a dog "use" it?

Yeah, no. Rhodes are native to the southeast, and even the ones that aren't are well-suited here. Check out the Arboretum if you doubt that.

If one is doing well, the other may be a dud, sick, root bound, near something it doesn't like etc.

Also, if you planted in the last month, you planted too late in the season. Summers are brutal for planting shrubs. Early spring and mid-late fall are the best times. The heat is just too dang stressful for them.