Planting

Before planting, a number of factors should be considered that are important for obtaining a good growth later on;

Position

It is advised to protect the Rhododendron, Pieris and  Skimmia against the cold north and east wind during wintertime. They cause plants to dry out and/or frost damage. In general, rhododendrons do not like strong winds !!

Soil

Rhododendrons, Pieris and Skimmia grow at their best in a soil with a pH range from 4 to 6. Ideally the soil should be a humous sandy soil with a good drainage !! After all, humus keeps the root ball moist. Since Rhododendrons, Pieris and Skimmia form a superficial root ball (max. 40 cm deep) it is recommended to use peat soil when planting (because of the low pH value) and, if necessary, sand. Coniferous and/or fir soil also work very well and in addition, they contain humus. With clay soils, it is recommended to provide for gravel or rubble underneath the plant in order to allow for good water drainage. A piece of agricultural sheeting on the rubble or gravel works well, since the soil will not be washed away between the rubble.

Sunlight

Large-leaved Rhododendrons stand less sun than small-leaved Rhododendrons. In case of much shade, a rhododendron will grow more fanciful and especially have fewer blooms. Partial shade or, even better, filtered sunlight, provides Pieris, Skimmia and Rhododendrons with the most favourable conditions for growth.

When to plant?

The period in which to plant rhododendrons, Pieris and Skimmia is very broad. As long as there is no frost or it is not too hot in the middle of summertime, they can be planted at any time throughout the year. Rhododendron, Pieris and Skimmia have a very compact root ball, which in most cases does not grow deeper than 40 cm. However, the best planting season is autumn, by the end of September and October. Then the plant can further take root and strike well before wintertime. March and April are also possible, provided that the frost has ended; in that case it is necessary to water well.

How to plant?

After having determined the location where you wish to plant the Rhododendron, Pieris or Skimmia, dig a wide hole about three times the size of the root ball and about 40 cm deep. Dig up the soil. First pour a bucketful of water into the hole. In case it takes a long time before the water drains away, something is wrong with the drainage (see soil)!! Now fill the hole with a mixture of peat soil, fir soil, … (see soil) and mix well with the original soil. Never plant into pure peat soil, since it is too acid and contains no food. Take the Rhododendron, Pieris or Skimmia that has been supplied in a pot and remove the pot. The roots have grown nicely against the compost. Separate the outer roots so that they make better contact into the ground and continue growing! You can either do this using a small rake, your hands or the tip of a knife. And of course you must make sure the root ball is quite wet, so dip it in a bucket of water until there are no more air bubbles. After that, dig a hole in the prepared soil and position the Rhododendron, Pieris or Skimmia in it. Plant at the same level the plant was in the container! You can pour another bucketful of water into the hole so that the root ball and the soil surrounding it are quite wet, to allow for the roots to further develop into the surrounding soil. Finish by pressing/stepping gently with your foot and use the excess soil to make a border around the hole, so that you can water the plant without the water draining away.

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