Rhododendron griersonianum Winsome

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