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Exciting Ericaceous: Azaleas & Rhododendrons

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Welcome to our Ericaceous blog, where we spill the dirt on planting tips, a handy shopping list, and settle the age-old debate: what’s the real difference between azaleas and rhododendrons? Whether you’re a gardening pro or just here for the pretty flowers, we’ll make sure you’ve got all the info you need to get growing! Read on below for …

  • PLANTING TIPS

  • SHOPPING LIST - all the best care sundries to keep your acid-loving plants happy

  • RHODODENDRON or AZALEA - let’s end the confusion and find out which one suits you?

Planting Tips for Ericaceous Plants

Ericaceous plants—such as camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, pieris, and blueberries—bring year-round beauty and vibrant blooms to your garden. Follow these simple planting tips to help your plants thrive!

1. Choose the Right Location

  •  Ericaceous plants love acidic soil (pH between 4.5 and 6). Pick up a soil testing kit if you need one. Choose a spot that gets partial shade to full sunlight.

  • If your soil isn’t naturally acidic, consider using ericaceous compost or plant in pots for easier control over the soil. Take a look at the shopping list below for some of your options here at The Gardening Club!

2. Prepare the Soil

  • Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Mix in some ericaceous compost to ensure the soil is well-drained yet retains moisture.

  • Add organic matter or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and drainage

3. Planting

  • Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Fill the hole with the amended soil mix.

  • Water well after planting to settle the soil and help with root establishment.

4. Watering

  • These plants prefer rainwater (which is naturally acidic). Avoid using tap water long-term, as it can be too alkaline.

  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy, especially in dry spells.

5. Aftercare

Mulching:

  • Mulch around the base with ericaceous compost or leaf mould to help keep the soil cool and retain moisture.

  • Mulching also helps to keep weeds at bay and maintain the plant’s health.

Watering:

  • Continue to water regularly, especially in dry spells. Use rainwater or tap water mixed with vinegar or citric acid to lower the pH if needed.

Feeding:

  • Use a special ericaceous plant fertiliser in the spring to support healthy growth. All of our Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron feeds are perfect for this. Take a look at shopping list ideas below!

  • Avoid feeding in the autumn to prevent new, frost-sensitive growth.

6. Pruning (if needed)

  • Azaleas and rhododendrons only need light pruning to shape them. Camellias and pieris benefit from occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged growth.

Your Shopping List!

Ericaceous plants are acid-loving plants that include rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, pieris, some heathers and blueberries.  They require a specific pH level in the soil in order to thrive.

Our range of ericaceous feeds, from slow release granules to concentrates, are specially formulated to provide just what acid-loving or lime-hating plants need for healthy growth.  They contain trace mineral such as iron which are essential to promote healthy growth and flowering & prevent leaf yellowing.

Ericaceous Compost
Choose from:

  • Durston's Ericaceous 40L at £7.99/bag or 3 for £21 

  • Westland Ericaceous Potting & Planting Compost 50L £8.99/bag

...ideal for planting in containers or improving soil in acidic gardens.

Azalea Camellia & Rhododendron (Acid-Loving Plants) Feed 

Specially formulated to encourage vibrant blooms and healthy growth in your ericaceous plants & perfect for ensuring your plants receive nutrients throughout the growing season.

  • Miracle-Gro Slow Release Granules £6.99 / 900g

  • Miracle-Gro Liquid Concentrate Only £4.99/800ml

  • Vitax Ericaceous Liquid Feed Concentrate £4.99/1L

  • Vitax Ericaceous feed pouch £5.99/900g (resealable bag)

  • Westland Ericaceous Specialist Liquid Feed £5.99/1L

The Gardener’s Choice !

Vitax Seaweed plus sequestered iron £4.99/1L
A great fertiliser for more than one part of your garden!

A multipurpose liquid fertiliser that can be used around the garden and even on lawns.  An excellent choice for treating acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas, Seaweed with Sequestered Iron can be applied throughout the growing season.

Seaweed with Sequestered Iron:

  • Corrects iron deficiency, preventing yellowing of the leaves in lime-hating plants & reviving yellowed plants.

  • Encourages the development of healthy foliage

  • Can be used on lawns to ‘green up’ and toughen turf






Rhododendron or Azalea?

Here's a simple breakdown of the difference between azaleas and rhododendrons:

All azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas.

They belong to the same genus (Rhododendron), but they're different subgroups.

Key Differences:

1. Leaves:

- Azaleas usually have smaller, thinner leaves, often soft and slightly fuzzy.

- Rhododendrons tend to have larger, thicker, leathery leaves, often shiny and smooth.

2. Flowers:

- Azaleas typically have smaller flowers with five stamens.

- Rhododendrons often have larger, showier flowers with ten or more stamens.

3. Size and Growth:

- Azaleas are generally smaller and bushier, great for borders or containers.

- Rhododendrons can grow much larger, even into tree-like shrubs in the right conditions.

4. Evergreen or Deciduous:

- Azaleas can be deciduous or evergreen** (often deciduous in the UK).

- Rhododendrons are *usually evergreen.

So, if you’re after compact and colourful, go for azaleas. If you want a big, bold statement shrub—rhododendrons are your go-to.

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