Rhododendron, Azalea 'Gibraltar'

LOYAL & GORGEOUS! Mine is 23 yrs planted, sits in floods every spring, has been through grape attacks, groundcover attacks, you name it!...Read More Now my ancient beech down from a storm last yr, my Gib had too hot sun last summer. So in fall, planted a JapWhitePine to southwest to build lateday summer sun protection. She's a lady and hates to share her ground. Give her sweet peat, bagged compost, holly food, lateday shade, plenty of moisture, and keep her mulched feet clear of other plants for easy fert access, and branches fully clear of neighboring plantings. Every yr rewards me with the most stunning GLOWING TANGERINE TRESSES!! Oh, once done blooming, CAREFULLY remove bud ends of spent flowers, as the new growth emerges just at the same juncture. Use fingers, and pinch gently away, watching not to catch teeny new growth. They should be removed though, otherwise fewer blooms next yr, and new growth somewhat taxed. Stately woodland form, taller than wide, flowers seem suspended in air, in glowing balls. Not a compact ground grower, more of lovely upright specimen interest. Intense colour, glows all day, even in shade. Unbeatable, I am starting cuttings this year as I've no interest in ever being without her, 'just in case!' This is an EXBURY azalea, "Gibraltar".

I have four of these and all but one are really struggling. I haven't tested the soil yet, but suspect that winter protection might be cr...Read Moreitical, because the one that does bloom is somewhat 'nestled'. Just an observation. They are in full sun, which should be ok. Anybody have any suggestions? What time of year would it be ok to possibly move them?

This plant grows beautifully here and is an extremely reliable bloomer! Maybe because some of its ancestors are native to this part of th...Read Moree south-central Appalachian Mountains. It grows quickly once established. It grows much better when it has deep, moist, well-drained soil, morning sun, and filtered afternoon shade, and it likes its roots to be shaded by a mulch or, better yet, groundcover or moss. It's pretty forgiving as long as it doesn't stand in water or scorch to death all day in unrelenting sun.

I used to have several plants. They were destroyed in a construction project & I've been looking for it for several years; it's an older variety and not so easy to find in the trade anymore. It's fairly easy to start from cuttings.

I've been 'growing' this for three years. I have not had it bloom yet, nor has it gotten any larger.....

Having said that...Read More -I have HEAVY clay, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, so I knew it was going to be a challenge. I moved it this year adding lots of peat, planting above soil line, and in a part shade spot. It seems to be doing much better. How long that will last time will tell.

I'll report if I ever get it to bloom.

UPDATE on 5-19-09 It actually looks as if it might bloom, albeit only a bit. It looks pretty scraggly so once it blooms I'm going to trim it to a nicer shape and hope that it thrives in this new location.