Quick Guide: spring, hardy, semi-shade, height:4.5m/15ft, width: 5m/16ft

Rhododendrons have much to offer gardeners who must work with acid soil. The magnificent flowers come in an unparaleled range of colours . In size the plants range from as low as 30cm/12in to an improving 4.5m/15ft or more and spread wide. About 800 species are known and thousands of hybrids have been developed.

GROWING.Plant in early autumn in well-drained but moisture retentive soil. Most prefer light shade but hardy hybrids and small leaved types tolerate full sun. Water well and mulch after planting. Remove dead flowerheads. Prune to restrict growth if necessary by cutting back lightly to a whorl of leaves in spring. Old, straggly hardy hybrids can be induced to make new compact growth heavily in late winter.

PROPAGATION Increase stock by layering or cuttings. Varieties do not come true from seeds.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Rhododendron; leafhopper causes bud-blast diseases, rhododendron bugs suck sap from the leaves.