This is completely breathtaking in bloom--no other common rhody in color like it! It was burlap-balled (2' diameter) when I purchased it ...Read More(already 3.5' tall!) from local garden center with a good reputation. The Hindustan variety needs light, and the nursery recommended anything but a northern exposure for this plant with winter wind protection. A northern exposure was listed as acceptable as long as nothing obstructs indirect light from the plant and it isn't too close to any structures. Same soil prep as with rhodes and azaleas with an elevated position for drainage. I planted (Ohio) 8' from house (2 overhangs of 2' each had to be cleared) at my southwestern corner because of a maple just east of it in the southern line of my sunrise. It's been very rainy here, and that has caused some spotting on leaves, some yellowing, but there are dozens of new leaves in this exposure. This was quite a bit of work (removing sod, a 4'X 1' hole, soil mixing: adding some sand to clay base with sphagnum peat), but the blooms were worth it!
This is completely breathtaking in bloom--no other common rhody in color like it! It was burlap-balled (2' diameter) when I purchased it ...Read More