Rhododendrons and Relatives: Why 1 out of 4 rhodies so sick?, 1 by peony8

peony8 wrote:
luis_pr, thank you!

Based on what you have said about protection, I am a little surprised this rhodie did so poorly. Though it is the most out in the "open," behind it is a large pieris and a chain-link fence that is, by now, covered in ivy about 1/4 of the way up. On the other side of the fence is a dogwood and a neighbor's evergreen. I also have three clethra back there, but they probably aren't much of a windscreen in winter.

I'm attaching a picture from last spring, when we first installed this shrub border. (Note, the rhodie had been moved from another location the fall before, and I was surprised that it bloomed).

The damage you see to it from the crown was removed branches from borers the year before that.

I do know what you mean about the roots. I was really surprised when I dug it up 1) how easy it was and 2) how delicate its root system was.

(I really need to get new pictures. I can't believe how much things have grown!)