Rhododendron Melville

Plant the Rhododendron 'Melville' in a partially shaded position, protected from cold and drying winds, in a moist, humus-rich and light soil, with a tendency towards acidity. Like all plants that prefer ericaceous soil, it does not tolerate alkaline soils or heavy soils that become waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole with a volume three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-alkaline water and plant the bush at the collar level, in a mixture composed of leaf compost, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system. As a result, they are susceptible to long periods of drought. Therefore, it is recommended to enrich the soil with humus and provide abundant watering during dry periods. Additionally, this root system is not very strong, which is why it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) during planting. Apply a mulch of shredded pine bark around the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture while preserving an acidic pH. Maintenance consists of removing faded flowers in summer and removing dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils that eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, as well as the notorious "rhododendron beetle" which rarely causes significant damage. Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendron indicates poor assimilation of iron from the soil and can lead to premature death of the plant. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or deep planting can also explain the phenomenon.