my full budded shrub is laden with brown leaves, on and falling off the plant, I am waiting to see if it buds. why the brown leaves? my 2 other shrubs are sparse and spindly, should they be cut to the ground?

Dear Patty,

sounds like she needs a little acidic plant food...you can get in home depot or any nursury for acid loving plants, azaela, rhodies and the like.

If your rhodie looks bad, could have suffered a bad winter, but anyhow, don,t be afraid to cut it back hard...we had to cut our full size old rodie back to 1 foot above the ground a few years ago, to facilitate work on the porch floor and the plant was growning over the railing ...it came back with a vengance, believe me, didn,t bloom the following year, but did it other years...I cut it back now and then to keep it under control, forgoing a few blooms for the following year though, Carol

HELLO
I HAVE A RHODENDRUM THAT I PLANTED LAST YEAR. IT IS STARTING TO BLOOM NOW. IS THERE ANY SPECIAL CARE THAT IT SHOULD HAVE AND COULD YOU TELL ME HOW LONG IT WILL ACTUALLY BLOOM
THANKS
GENA

Hello,
looking for suggestions on pruning a very large rhodie (6ft in height and about 12 ft diameter). My question is how aggresive can i be with pruning? would like to prune to 3ft. When is the best time for this? thank you for any info.!
Chris w