Rhododendrons have earned their place in the garden. There’s a reason why, some say, they are overused. It’s because, besides being native to our beloved mountains, they’re pretty much indestructible and beautiful. When a plant is tried and true and beautiful, why ignore it? Too often we search for that “interesting” plant when right in front of us is a stunning, reliable plant that we won’t lose sleep or money over. And, while I’m convincing you, there are many cultivars to choose, all white flowers (‘Chionoides’) to deep purple flowers (‘Lee’s Dark’) and so many colors in-between. Also, sizes for big hedges or small patios and containers. It’s time to rethink rhododedrons in the garden.

Read on and then add them to your garden. You won’t regret it. Here’s a list to convince you.

Rhododendrons are:

1. Evergreen.

2. Maintenance free.

3. Shade lovers.

4. Great for slopes.

5. Good hedges, screens, and privacy walls.

6. Understory shrubs in forested areas.

7. Easy to rejuvenate prune when necessary. (Read about rejuvenation pruning here.)

8. Available in a variety of colors and sizes.

9. Late spring to early summer bloomers.

10. Shrubs that like cool climates. (They liked this past winter!)

11. Loaded with beautiful, showy blooms.

Growing rhododendrons is actually pretty darn easy. Here’s what they need to thrive. 

Growing Rhododendrons:

1. Part Sun to shade.

2. Well-drained, moist soil. They suffer if they dry out.

3. A ph of 4.5-6.0.

4. Prune immediately after blooming as they bloom on old wood.

5. Berm up for better drainage when planting.

6. Fertilize yearly with Holly Tone.

Companion Plants:

1. Evergreen and Deciduous Azaleas

2. Camellia

3. Illicium

4. Pieris Japonica

5. Mountain laurel

6. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas

7. Hydrangea macrophylla

8. Spring Flowering trees (dogwoods, redbuds, weeping cherry)

9. Japanese maples

10. Witch hazel

11. Magnolia trees

That’s it. Easy plants. In WNC where shade dominates, what to plant on a slope is pretty much everyone’s issue, and the “messy forest” between neighbors needs tidying up, rhododendrons are your go-to shrub. Check out these five, and fall in love again with a beautiful, flowering, evergreen shrub that likes shade. Not everything is new under the sun. 

And yes, rhododendrons have their problems like all plants (spider mites, lacebugs, weevils, cholorosis, fungal dieback, winter burn), but typically if they are situated correctly (correct drainage, sunlight, etc.) they are pest and disease free. So, if your current ones are having problems, assess the location and consider transplanting. 

Written by Cinthia Milner, garden coach and blog writer.

B.B. Barns serves all of Western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina and Tennessee.