Azalea Rhododendron simsii 'Azajoy' white

Plant your rhododendron bush in a container or in the garden upon receipt. Keep the root ball nice and moist – soak it in a bucket of lukewarm water. Use a pot with holes in the base and be sure to layer the bottom with potsherds or hydro-granules before adding potting compost. Use fresh potting compost and plant at the right depth. Fill up with more fresh potting compost and press the plant well in. When planting in the garden, dig a nice wide hole and loosen the soil with a fork. Plant your rhododendron so that the top of the root ball lies just under soil level and fill up the hole with more soil before heeling in. Water immediately. A rhoddodendron likes acidic, humus rich soil so improve garden soil with compost. Clay soil is not so good for rhododendrons so is best avoided or replaced. Part shade or full shade is best.

A Rhododendron is a strong shrub that is very undemanding. You just need to ensure that the soil around the base of the plant doesn't dry out. Carefully snip off overblown flowers without damaging the new bud just below. When shoots get too long you can safely prune them away. Older shrubs can be thinned out by removing a few thicker stems and a rhododendron can be cut hard back to rejuvenate it but of course you will then loose flowers that year.

The much-loved rhododendron is a sturdy shrub that retains its foliage over the winter. The large flower clusters appear from May onwards with flowers in a lovely, bright shade of purple. The centre of each flower is a shade lighter with pretty markings. This rhododendron will become quite a large shrub in the garden. Potted, it will remain more compact. Looks lovely on its own, looks fabulous together with a Camelia.
Rhododendron is classified under Ericaceae (the heather family).