Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Wednesday - September 10, 2008
From: Brooklyn, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Rhododendrons for afternoon sun
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Thanks for your suggestion that I plant rhodedenrons in my Brooklyn garden. In fact, the only bushes I've planted in the past that have survived are rhodedenrons so your definitely right! Here's my problem- the 2 places I want to plant bushes get afternoon sun - one gets about 3 hours of mid noon sun, the other, 2-3 hours of late noon sun and I know rhod. prefer morning sun. Is there a particular variety that you would recommend for afternoon sun? Thanks.ANSWER:
Although morning sun is preferable, Mr. Smarty Plants doesn't think your 2-3 hours of mid-noon and early afternoon sun will be a serious problem for any of the rhododendrons below, except for possibly, R. prinophyllum (early azalea) which prefers shade (less than 2 hours of sun per day). The others do well in part shade (defined as 2-6 hours of sun per day) and R. canadense (rhodora) will grow in full sun. However, there are other factors such as soil pH and soil moisture that could make a difference in your success. Since I don't know what your soil pH and soil moisture is, I can't really recommend one of these species over another. I can, however, highlight those factors in each of the species:Rhododendron arborescens (smooth azalea)—part shade and moist acidic soil. This is a very hardy azalea.
Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea)—part shade and dry acidic soil.
Rhododendron canadense (rhodora)—sun, part shade and wet acidic soil.
Rhododendron lapponicum (Lapland rosebay)—part shade and dry limey (alkaline) soil.
Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)—part shade and wet acidic soil.
Rhododendron periclymenoides (pink azalea)—part shade and wet acidic soil.
Rhododendron prinophyllum (early azalea)—shade and moist neutral soils. This is a hardy azalea.
Rhododendron viscosum (swamp azalea)—part shade and wet acidic soil.
You might check in our National Suppliers Directory for a nursery in your area that specializes in native plants to see what they have available. They could most likely advise you further about which species or cultivar would best suit your shade condidtions, soil type and moisture.
More Trees Questions
Is oak leucanium an invasive species in Texas from Laredo TX
April 02, 2013 - Is Parthenolecanium quercifex considered an invasive species in Texas? Does this insect attach itself to redbuds? I spotted and removed from my small 5ft Texas Redbud last year. It seems that it has ...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting a bald cypress from Houston
December 10, 2012 - We would like to transplant a bald cypress from front yard to back. It is about 10 ft tall, 3" trunk diameter, 2-1/2 years old and in good health. Any idea how large the root ball might need to be du...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of newly planted magnolia in Irving TX
November 10, 2009 - I planted four Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora) in my back yard during first week of October 2009. One of them seem to be dying because its leaves have turned very brown and the leaves are c...
view the full question and answer
Effect of unusual wet weather on desert willows
July 23, 2007 - I live in North Central Texas and have 3 beautiful Desert willow trees that are usually in full bloom. I've kept them pruned to form a nice full tree shape but now they are losing leaves and looking ...
view the full question and answer
Oak Sucker Reprise
May 02, 2015 - ----Original Question---- SUNDAY - JULY 06, 2014
Title: Live Oak Suckers Reprise, Austin TX
QUESTION:
Referring to an entry dated March 11, 2011 about Live Oak suckers - what happened to the su...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |