What to do with a 20+ foot Rhododendron

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

contact8088's ideas · More Info

Moved in a new house with many established Rhododendrons, this one I am a bit confused how to handle this one.

So at the very least need to do some pruning to get it away from the house a bit and off the roof...but also have concerns since this it is also very close to the house (couple feet)...pretty sure the roots have already taken over the downspout drain (might be able to see my temporary redirect with black piping)
So do I?

Aggressively prune
Prune and attempt relocation
Worry less everything is fine :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

akamainegrower
8 years ago
Knowing where you are located would be very helpful. The overall growth pattern of the rhododendron - height, multiple slender trunks - suggests that it is receiving too little light which in turn suggests relocation as the best option. You will have to prune it to more manageable size, but rhododendrons are very easy to move because of their shallow, flat root systems. When to do this has a lot to do with your location. Wait until spring if you live in a cold winter area. If you live in the PNW or another winter wet, rarely below freezing area, moving now should be fine. You could, of course, prune and leave it where it is, but it will revert to its present state pretty quickly unless light is increased by taking out some of what is currently causing the shady conditions.
Shawn Verrall
Original Author
8 years ago
I am in the PNW and rhododendron is northern facing so light is definitely an issue...how much could I prune it prior to moving without killing it?
Related Discussions
Installation Prices - $20 sq.foot?
Q
Comments (6)
I love that San Felipe tile, but not surprised at the high labor cost. It is an unusual shape, and it is saltillo, heck even laying regular tile on the diagonal cost more! So, you may have to pay that high price, as I doubt there are many who have the ability to do this. Good luck, I am sure it would be worth it.
...See More
where can i find a nice 13 x 20 foot area rug for less than $10k?
Q
Comments (39)
I really don't understand how anyone can buy a rug online. I have to at least see it in person to know if the colors are right. Monitors and the lighting when the pic is taken vary so greatly. Heck I've brought so many rugs home over the years. I want to be sure that what I've chosen is going to compliment the entire area around where it is being used. How do you do that with an online rug? However, I have seen a good amount of dissatisfied posters who've received a rug that was not as represented by Overstock or another seller. Who picks up the return cost? As far as the posters who are poo pooing buying a good quality rug (travel to Turkey, etc) and then link to JC Penney rugs, what a hoot. Obviously the OP has something a little different in mind with her stated budget. Also, I get a kick out of people professing to travel to a place where they would be in the total minority and have no idea of where to go and how to haggle with the rug sellers, let alone figure out the exchange rate. Have you ever been to Turkey? Really.
...See More
9 foot ceilings for 20x19 great room? Or lower in kitchen/dining only?
Q
Comments (12)
@cpartist thank you! I do love what you have done in your house with the trim too… but just at this phase of life and budget I cant put the money/time/effort into something like that. Trust me, I understand. It definitely added cost but visually made it feel more cozy while still having taller ceilings. It would be best to just lower the ceiling if i want it visually lower ya know? Absolutely. I will tell you that in my two old houses (1 a 1927 craftsman bungalow and the other a an 1898 victorian farmhouse style) I had 9' ceilings in both. It was the right height. Another thought is most people do prefer at least a 9' ceiling. So I appreciate your feedback and glad to know you think it would be okay. Do you think we should change the 8 foot header and door height if we go to 9 throughout? If you can, I'd try for a 7' header and door height, but if not, do the 6'8" one. I think an 8' one works in my hallways but I wouldn't want it in my upstairs with my 9' ceilings. (Pics below of upstairs with 9' ceilings and 6'8" door and window heights.) I’ll look closer at the kitchen arrangement. I guess anything is better than what I have now so I didnt notice. Look at all the dancing in circles I do when i cook right now. (red circle is MW/Oven). Poor design for sure 🤣 The two best kitchens I ever had to work in is the one I have now and the one in that 1927 bungalow. What they both had in common is excellent flow. Even though this one is 2x as large as that first one and this one has an island and that one just had the perimeter layout that worked, it saved steps and was so efficient. Upstairs hallway with 9' ceilings and headers and elevator door at 6'8". My studio with 6'8" doors. Realize that in my design, I brought the "ceiling" color down to the picture rail at the top of the door and window. You won't be doing that. Your wall color will continue to the top of the 9' wall so the doors will actually feel larger.
...See More
Options for covering 20 foot stacked windows
Q
Comments (3)
Privacy from what at that height? i see the view through lower window with shade up but can’t tell if that’s overcast sky or what through top two levels. Understand the challenges with top down bottom up or any inside mount in those windows. Have you explored a transluscent film covering for glass in those windows? Best suggestion I can think of - the film would still allow light & doesn't look like you can see a view out at floor level.. Film would be inobtrusive & still leave the beautiful window trim unobscured to be admired. Seems like the result should look just like your picture. ETA - If you’re asking about all the windows, not just top 2 rows, then that’s what I’d do - transluscent film on glass in top two layers and top down / bottom up shades in the big windows in bottom row. That is perfect solution to let in light, see the sky & maintain privacy from street..
...See More
akamainegrower
8 years ago
Pruning isn't at all likely to kill a rhododendron. You need to reduce the top growth enough so that the plant is not so unwieldy and top heavy. The photo seems to show new growth emerging near the base - a good sign that it will regenerate pretty quickly even with extensive cutting back. There are a number of online sources giving good illustrated instructions of where to prune on a stem for the best results. There are also good instructions for digging and moving. I would also check if this is indeed a good time for moving it in your area. I can't really think of any reason why it would not be, but my experience in the PNW is exactly 0. A good local nursery or your extension service can tell you.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
IME, there isn't exactly a bad time to move a rhody here in the PNW :-) Although this past summer was certainly less than ideal. Now is a fine time to move one.
Mike McGarvey
8 years ago
I would move it and then prune it into a multitrunked tree. Cut the smaller trunks before you move it.

Cut a ditch around rootball and rock it back and forth to get it up on a heavy duty tarp like canvas. Then drag it to it's new planting hole without skinning the bark. I would drag it by the tarp or rootball instead of attaching anything to the trunks.

Mike

What to do with a 20+ foot Rhododendron

Comments (5)

akamainegrower

Shawn Verrall
Original Author

Related Discussions

akamainegrower

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Mike McGarvey

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What to do with a 20+ foot Rhododendron

Comments (5)

akamainegrower

Shawn VerrallOriginal Author

Related Discussions

akamainegrower

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Mike McGarvey

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Shawn Verrall
Original Author