I'm in Hamilton, so I guess I am 1/2 to 1 zone warmer, but last year I tried an antidessicant, Wiltpruf, on my rhodos and it worked beautifully. I sprayed them twice, once in late November and once again after a warm spell during the winter. Their leaves stayed nice and green with no browning, which I had experienced during other winters here. If you really like rhodos (which I do) I'd suggest you give this product a try and see how it works in your somewhat colder area.

btw, I should have mentioned that I used Wiltpruf *instead* of burlap which I had used in past years but which didn't prevent the browning of leaves. Also, I always give my rhodos, and all evergreens, a really good soak before the ground freezes in the winter. Most of my rhodos also have a SE orientation.

Personally I dont grow Rhodos .. BUT I do have a friend that is able to grow them in Sudbury. She winterizes them but she also grows the Northern Lights series .. I guess they with stand the cold a bit better.

Hope this helps
Laura

lisa03 and peatpod - thanks for your help. Will try again for another year. Wish me luck!

I'd make sure that the rhodos you are buying from Home Depot are actually zoned for your area. I have found that they tend to get in stuff that is more generic and alot of times even though they say it is zoned for 5 or 6 it may really be a 7 or 8. You may have better luck going to a reputable nursery who will guarantee their product and then if you do lose one, you can get a replacemenr and some very knowledgeable advice.

I too can vouch for using Wiltpruf. I've been using it for several years on my rhodos, azaleas,japanese maples with great success and no winter dieback. I don't use burlap at all.

I don't use burlap either, I don't see the return for the effort. Other cultural practices have a much greater benefit. Rhododenrons are pretty tough to grow well in southern Ontario, they require lots of ancillary care.

You need to make sure that you've got hardy varieties, the soil composition is correct (high organic, well draining, acidic), planted in a sheltered position (part shade, little wind), the rootball was scored just before planting, topdressed and fertilized every year, and some shelter from winter sun.

I did a phenomenal amount of work to ensure conditions mimic a rhodos habitat which in southern ontario, is not easy. One of the biggest shortcomings are the dry summers which can be made worse if you have a thirsty tree nearby (especially maples). I water at least once a week during the summer. The other shortcoming is the soil, which unless you live on the Shield, is exactly the opposite of what is needed. Instead of trying to modify the soil, I just ended up changing it.

As for varieties, the Yak, PJM, and Finnish groups are the hardiest but any zone 5 rhodo will work for you. The Dominion aboretum in Ottawa has large rhodos, as does RBG in Hamilton.

Azaleas are easier!
Simon

Thanks everyone.
One more question - where do I find Wiltpruf? I've been to the large box centres (Rona, HD, CT) and nobody has it.

Try the big Sheridan on Hwy 7. I haven't needed it, but I recall seeing it there. In any case, a nursery is more likely to have it than the big box stores.

I have rhodos in the garden for the past 4 years. They do bloom, but not prolifically, although this year there are a LOT of buds setting up. I worry about frost tonight though.

I do not wrap them at all, but do have them located in a spot that gets shade, and also is out of the winter wind.
I live in zone 5, near Guelph, ON.

I hope this helps.

In Nova Scotia, rhododendrons grow exceptionally well. Most of the area near my house is either 5B or the next zone warmer. For winter we just ignore them and they look great year after year. I suggest one of the Finnish hybrids. They are good to zone 4. I was annoyed that my wife wouldn't let me buy Helsinki University yesterday. We got a PJM instead, which brings us up to 9 rhododendrons. April Rose, Haaga, and an one that came with the house (probably Cabanesis?) are doing best. On a recent garden tour we saw a Nova Zembla theat was close on 10 feet tall.

Also don't forget to water them in well before the winter. They need to draw on the water in their leaves to their full potential to get through the winter and not turn brown.

I have three magnificent rhodos in my garden (Ottawa). I cover them with burlap for winter, quite a chore since one of them is very big. One suggestion, the small leaf variety is a much better surviver in cold climate. Also you must make sure that they are watered in summer. I just added number four, the other ones have been in my garden about ten years.

I planted 3 rododendrons on a notheast wall, covered the ground with moss, and have done nothing more than enjoy them for the last 25 years. I live in zone 5, east coast Canada. They are now 10 feet tall, and flower every year.