Moving a Rhodedendron

A friend is moving house in October and has offered me a Rhodedendron she planted 5 years ago. The house is rented so there is no problem with me taking it.

Would October be less than ideal for doing this? The plant is not huge, about 2/3 foot high and the same in width and planted in the garden. If it were to damage it, I would rather leave it for the next tenants to enjoy (there is a gardener who comes in to mow the lawn etc).

Also, what sort of conditions does it need? Soil, light etc, etc? I know sod all about them (and might not have somewhere for it to go).

If moving it involves doing preliminary work before hand (no idea what) I might be able to pass on this information to the aforementioned gardener, but apparently he's not the most knowledgeable). Me going up to London to do it is out of the question before October.

Anyone able to help?

 

Aye... go ahead... Rhodies have lots of wee roots and move well.

They must have an acid soil...... if you've got lime/chalk, forget it..... but Horsham should be fine!

The ideal conditions are semi-shade... not full sun or deep shade, a good moist... but not soggy soil.

They are shallow rooted, so don't plant too deep, and give a good much of something not too rich,... rotted down leaf mold or bark mulch.

As with all newly planted things... keep well watered for the first year... after that it should look after itself!

Do you know what variety it is? it sounds like one of the dwarf hybrids if it's still small after 5 years!

 

No idea. It's got scarlet red flowers and I was with her when she bought it at Columbia Road Flower Market 5 years ago. It must be a dwarf if it's still that small then.

Good to hear it'll like my garden. Just got to find a spot for it now!!