Rhododendron Question

Hi all. I'm just out and about in the garden deadheading roses and tidying up. I'm about to start on the rhododendrun which has mostly lost its flowers now. There are brown buds left where the flowers were. I think I should be snapping this off right as they're dead? Help much appreciated :-)

 

Yes take them all off. make way for the nice new growth

 

There is a cycle route I use that is lined by Rhododendrons. The nation park people cut it right down once a year. Not sure why they do this but every year in early summer it is back and in full bloom.

 

ah thanks. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to ruin it!

 

Yes Janey, if you have the time snap out the dead brown buds - the plant will look so much better and flower well next year. When you are doing it look to the sides of the brown buds, you will see a new shoot on either side, be careful not to snap them out as that is next years growth.

 

Hi everybody,
I am very new to this as i just signed up for this forum, but i was wondering if any of you could tell me if a RHODODENDRON PONTICUM VARIGATUM could not flower because it is in shade?
The plant itself looks healthy and i have no problems with it, it's just that I have put it in last year about September, but now it does have buds but i am afraid that becase it might not have enough sun it might not flower.
Shall I just be a little bit more patient?
All aswers very welcome!

 

Hello Paraglidingbabe and welcome to the forum.
You'll have to be a bit more patient. Rhododendron Ponticum is late flowering - end of June into July. The shade won't matter - in fact it will probably like it.
It self sows itself about the place so if you don't want more look out for the seedlings and remove them.