Rhododendron Champagne

Plant the 'Champagne' Rhododendron in partial shade or shade, protected from cold and drying winds, in a fresh, humus-bearing and light soil with an acidic tendency. Like all plants that prefer acidic soil, it cannot tolerate limestone or heavy soils that are waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-limestone water and plant the bush at the level of the collar, in a mixture consisting of 1/4 turf, leaf compost, gravel or volcanic rock, and loam. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system. Therefore, they are susceptible to long periods of drought. It is recommended to have soil enriched with humus and to water abundantly during dry periods. Additionally, as the root system is not very strong, it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, volcanic rock, clay pellets) when planting. Apply a mulch of shredded 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 notorious "rhododendron beetle" that rarely causes severe damage. You can treat them with carbofuran. Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor iron assimilation in the soil and can lead to premature death of the plant. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or a deeply planted root ball can also explain the phenomenon.