GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Azalea

Rhododendron · Shrub

Hardiness
—
Position
Partial shade, Full sun
Height × Spread
1.5–2.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m
Soil
Moist but well-drained, acidic (pH 4.5–6.0), rich in organic matter (ericaceous)
Flowering
March–June
Toxicity
No specific toxicity is listed by the RHS. This is not a guarantee of safety — check with a vet or the ASPCA before pets or children eat any plant.

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower
✂️ Prune

Watch out for

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering; tolerate mild infections as removal causes severe defoliation.

Bud blast: Remove and destroy infected buds promptly if practical; encourage natural enemies of the rhododendron leafhopper.

Silver leaf: Prune out and burn affected branches well below the visible symptoms to prevent spread.

Phytophthora root rot: Ensure excellent drainage in acidic soil and avoid waterlogging to prevent infection by waterborne spores.

Rhododendron leafhopper: Tolerate presence as feeding causes little damage; control is rarely needed unless bud blast is severe.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/rhododendron © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia