Rhododendrons and Relatives: Alkali tolerant alternative to azelea, 2 by JHarp

JHarp wrote:
Thank you Luis_pr

There is a drain to carry the runoff under the driveway, the drain opening is just in front of the plant, and 3 or 4 inches lower in elevation. Water only gets over the roots if we have a very heavy and prolonged rain, happens maybe once a year. The Azalea on the other side of the AC unit doesn't seem to be affected much if at all. Water from the downspouts is carried to the drain by buried flexible plastic tubes.

The plant is mulched with shredded oak leaves, then pine bark nuggets, and coffee grounds. I give it Ironite, Ammonium Sulphate, and a couple of applications of Muracid per year.

The leaves are more yellow and brown or bronze than they appear in the pictures. It doesnt show well in the photo, but there is a large area in the center of the bush which appears to be dying, no new growth so far after trimming.

Jim