Planting under Rhododendron

Any advice on what to plant under Rhoddies? I have two and a bridal bush in the same bed, they look marvellous in spring but then a bit dull for the rest of the year. I was wondering if their were any nice flowering perennials that I could grow in front and between them. I gather rhoddies tend to make the soil quite acidic

 

Yo there.

Bulbs of any sort, pansies and the like..heathers etc...just ensure you purchase spring, summer and autumn flowering. You have loads to choose from...do a google on acid loving plants...make sure you have a deep purse or wallet, heh,heh.:thumb:

 

Having several Rhoddies in one of my gardens. I use a hosta type which grows more flatter out than vase shaped and of a medium spread, so I put several in. Since Rhoddies have a solid colored leaf I use a variegated hosta. Actually I am not sure Rhoddies make the soil acidic, (could be wrong) I believe they love acidic soil thus I leave some of my fallen leaves on and around them in the fall. But my many hosta are happy in that area.

 

Ok, I am assuming you have planted the Rhododendron in partial shade. If so heathers and pansies will not tolerate that. If you have trees over the Rhododendron, then the bulbs you need to focus on are those that will arrive before your trees have leaves on them. I also have sweet william as ground cover in the entire area it seems to bloom when the Rhodos bloom which is a nice look.
I am a shade gardener.

 

British Explanation of above posting.

Rhoddies......squashed animals on the highway.
Hosta......some kind of Motel.
Fall...either drunk as a skunk or Autumn.

:D:D:D

 

:D:D:D Needed that, what a day here. It is now 5:15PM almost ready to pack up and go home

 

He he like that tweaky

The rhoddies are actually on the afternoon sun side of the garden and growing against the fence. We have plenty of spring flowers but not much in the way of a later show

 

If you like them then I think begonias will do fine there. At least they seem to be enjoying themselves there in my garden-I put 2 in last year and there are about 30 of them now all very strong and vigorous. Some of the dwarf (foxy) foxgloves will be okay there as well.

 

I agree Claire, Begonia grandis (Hardy Begonia) would do nicely as an understudy, and mine make lots of babies each year.