Sick-looking rhododendron

My first post to this site - hello!0)

I live in Stockholm in Sweden and we have a quite well-established rhododendron in our new front garden. It is in a corner so gets full sun for most of the morning and then none for the rest of the day. The branches are looking very grey and leggy and the leaves are few and far between and basically not very lush looking. They are a dull green and quite a few are a limey-green colour with darker green along the veins. There were no flowers this year and I was planning to get rid of the bush altogether, but then noticed buds are appearing. Should I give the bush another chance? No idea about the PH of the soil but there are quite a few much healthier-looking rhododendrons in our neighbours' gardens. If I keep it, can I cut it back, move it or plant other things with it?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Hi Saz, the poor thing sounds as if it needs a good feed. It`s too late for that where you are, so just keep an eye on it over winter, then give it a feed with an ericaceous fertilizer in the spring. You can plant anything you like with, especially woodland plants, as they all need some shade.:thumb: