What to do with empty area now that kids have outgrown the play set?! Probably the best dwarf yellow available flowering in April. Continue filling the holes, gently firming the soil. Rhododendron and azalea roots also need oxygen for healthy growth. Use a soil test kit to measure the soil pH in a planting hole. I live just outside of Philadelphia and we are a couple months away from any frost. Glad to see you trashed the hot tub. Dig the plant, preserving a root ball as wide as can be safely moved. Dig a 5-foot-diameter circle around the rhododendron. a large-growing, open habit rhododendron which someone is trying to keep shorter and more compact. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. I will definitely do all I can to protect the root ball. We'll show you how to plant, grow, and care for them. If the plant is very large it is important to dig a wide root ball. Choose well-draining soil for your rhododendron. Is there any chance that it will survive being dug up, out of the ground for a week or more and then replanted? Height 25-50cm in 10 years. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Layering is possibly the simplest way of propagating this plant but be prepared for it to take quite some time. Join now. The shallow root system can't take in all the water it may need to survive and a drought can spell disaster. Just plant your rhododendron by itself in the middle of the yard, or in an open field where it will receive the full blast of the dry arctic winds which we have in good measure from November to March. Planting rhododendron. The very safest approach is to dig a trench up to 12 inches deep, around the dripline of the plant. Mature plants are much hardier and Mother Nature seems to take good care of them under normal conditions. One of the most important considerations when planting rhododendron is the need to have heath and well drained soil. If you want to propagate it so you'll have more plants, you can do so through a process called layering. Holy Smokes. ME. I hope you get some flood specific advice, and hang in there, kid. Repeat those tasks for the other rhododendron bushes. This can include anything as small as a single leaf or as large as an entire branch. Keep the plant watered and in the shade until it is ready to be planted in its new position. Get involved. Step 1 Prune away any dying tissue. Amendments include organic matter and acidic material, such as a commercial product or pine needles. Tilt one root ball on its side, and wrap a piece of burlap or plastic around it. It is not necessary to remove a burlap cover completely because eventually it will rot away. Push the shovel straight down to it's full depth. Step 1 Make sure that the rhododendron is in the right location. I am very pleased to hear that this is a good time to be moving the rhododendren. 3. Measure the height of each rhododendron bush's root ball so you can dig its hole 3 to 4 inches shallower than that height. Don't worry about digging deep into the soil since most azalea & rhododendron roots are near the surface. You wouldn't want to stop by and dig it out for me, would you?? Such kits are available at nurseries. How to Use Blueberry Bushes to Hide a Fence, How to Plant Rhododendrons Close Together, American Rhododendron Society: Transplanting, Plant Amnesty: Seven Solutions to the "Too-Big" Rhododendron; Cass Turnbull, University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Elizabeth C. Miller Library: Gardening Answers Knowledgebase. Steps: 1. With clay, it sometimes takes getting it very soupy, then you will actually be able to see it fall when it settles. I am printing this advice. (sadly, curves are more work - next house) cascio.offsite@gmail.com. Discover rhododendrons. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Once that is done pop your rhododendron in the hole - the key thing to rhododendrons is they don't like to be planted too deep as they are surface rooting and don't like to be drowned by compost. 0. Water the planting sites again thoroughly. Evergreen azaleas and large leaved rhododendrons have shallow fibrous root systems and should be dug with as large a root ball as possible. Then undercut the plant to form a cone, removing the soil an inch or so at a time, moving all around the plant, until you begin to see that you are removing roots. Well, I am not sure what it looked like before you soaked it, but it looks like it has settled. You poor things, I am so sorry that happened. For this reason, it is safer to transplant in the spring after the ground thaws in climates where frost heaving is a problem. If you intend Michelle to dig up your ten feet Eucalyptus Tree and repot it into a large pot the chances of survival are fairly slim. Some of the most common dangers to your rhododendron include aphids, root rot and Japanese beetles. Then lift the plant by the burlap and the bottom, not by its stems.If the plant is very large it is important to dig a wide root ball. Fill each hole with soil to within 4 inches from ground level, and water the soil completely. Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its shape. Dig the hole twice as big as the pot, but no deeper than it. You can lift it onto a tarp and then use the tarp to drag the plant to its new location rather than picking it up. I know this is not the best time of year to do this, but I have no choice. Tie the ball together and support it so it doesn't fall apart. In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to successfully move a large rhododendron shrub to a new location. Then mulch it with oak leaves, straw, bark chips or whatever, but not walnut leaves. Anyone who spots rhododendrons in wild locations can easily see that these plants grow in shallow, well-draining soils. Fill the hole with water before filling dirt around the plant, and water again after all the dirt is in. Question by ackley7 May 11, 1998. In order to do the work, I have to dig out everything in the raised bed, including a lovely rhododendren. Lift it out of the ground, and set it aside in a shady location. I bought a house with elegans planted close to the foundation. Even for large plants the rootball is rarely more than 12-18 inches deep. Set new plants so that their top roots are at soil level or slightly below. R. elegans (a common attractive variety with lavender flowers) gets to a maximum of about 15 feet. This radius is usually slightly smaller than half way to the drip line. Make the trench smaller if the rhododendron is small. Even when following the "rules" by selectively heading back branches to shorter laterals, the result is a "funny-looking" plant, which is to say it starts to grow in a roughly v-shaped pattern. Study how you want it to face ahead of time so you don't have to turn it in the hole--nearly impossible with the largest rhododendrons. Raised by that true Rhododendron enthusiast Warren Berg on the Olympic peninsula in Washington State, USA. You could make it really bright with a variety of chair colors or peaceful with matching chair colors. Remove as much of the burlap as possible by cutting it away so it won't constrict the growth … Rhododendrons like well-draining soil with a pH on the acidic side; soil with a pH level no higher than 6 is preferable. The plant is then placed in the hole and backfilled with a mixture of compost and soil. Collectors’ numbers are (or were) assigned to seed collections which document where the plant was collected, how large it was and what grew with it. See if a finished basement is a good idea for you, Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom, No need to cringe. This is accomplished by cutting a circle around the plant with a shovel to cut off roots that extend beyond where you will be digging when you transplant. Dig your hole wide, but no deeper than the height of the root ball so that the root ball is at the surface once covered. Rhododendron tolerates shade, part sun and even sunlit places, as long as it stays cool. Answer from NGA May 11, 1998. 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I could not have asked for a more comprehensive answer. Dividing a Rhododendron - Knowledgebase Question. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches from each rhododendron’s trunk. Sometimes winter freezing and thawing cycles can actually lift a transplanted plant out of the ground where the roots are then desiccated and the plant dies. Lifting a rhododendron's root ball from its hole can be a multiperson job if the bush is large. How to Care for Rhododendron & Azaleas. It's best not to try to divide a rhododendron. Grow groups of 3-5 of the same variety in loose drifts and choose an overarching scheme of around 3 colours if you have a larger area to plant up. When you reach the bottom of the new hole, resist the temptation to break up the soil at the bottom. Rhododendrons and azaleas have dormant buds beneath the bark which sprout to form new growth after severe pruning, hence severe pruning which removes 1/3 to 1/2 of leaf area is quite common when transplanting. Since you will be keeping it out of the ground, I would be best to ball and burlap it to hold the roots in and temporarily mound dirt around it so the roots don't dry out, but also they won't get too wet. I second the use of preen - in the fall and again in the spring - with hand weeding other times as needed - a good job for the kids! Remove a plastic or other synthetic material cover, however. If you didn't remove any dirt, it is probably good. How to Dig up Tree Roots: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow I removed one larger one but am keeping another on the side. Try to help the insurance company by digging out any receipts or retail prices of damaged goods, cancelled checks etc. The longer the roots remain exposed, the more stress that's put on the plant. Don't water too often, but never let it dry out either. If a shrub must be transported by vehicle to another location, then the cloth or tarp can protect … Whether planted as a single specimen or in masses, rhododendron draws the eye. Follow us. You did a fantastic job! Fall is normally the best time because roots on a new plant need help establishing themselves. If you put it in a temporary hole, that hole could fill with water and drown the roots. Prepare the new planting area before digging the rhododendron up. Hope you put some sleeves in the gravel base course for future irrigation or lighting utilities. The hapless pruner tries in vain. Dig a hole that is just slightly larger than the existing roots of the rhododendron. This can be a quick way to kill a rhododendron with love! Unless your rhododendron bushes have grown in the same spot for many years and their roots have become intertwined with nearby shrubs and trees, they have an excellent chance of surviving a move whether the plants are large or small. * First, it is best to stimulate a tight root ball by root pruning the plants to be moved about a year before moving. Use a transplanting shovel to slice through any roots around and beneath the root ball. Layering. Use safe lifting techniques. Wagon or wheelbarrow (optional) Pine bark, hardwood or leaf mold mulch. Any tips that might help it survive? My rhody now has a far better chance of survival than if I hadn't asked. 2. Tilt the plant to one side, put one edge of the burlap close to the center of the plant, wadded up so that only half of it is on the open side of the plant, then rock the plant the other way and pull the burlap through. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. I have never had a client who had a flood, specifically but earthquake, fire and FEMA covered damage from nearby fires and I will say this, as far as property goes, I have been impressed every time with what was included. Make sure you watch the plant after it was moved like you would a new plant. Lundman received her M.A. If you're looking to learn how to plant rhododendrons, you've come to the right place! If the weather has a dry spell, make sure you water any newly planted rhododendrons, large or small. This would be in the spring or fall when the plant is still dormant but the soil is not frozen. Rhododendron species (but not hybrids) can be raised from wild collected or hand pollinated seed . 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Dig your new hole before you dig up the tree or shrub. Because the roots are not established, a strong wind or other inclement weather could topple the plants. Don't worry about digging deep into the soil since most azalea & rhododendron roots are near the surface. Bowl. Rhododendrons have fibrous, compact root systems that simplify transplanting. By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. When a homeowner needs to free up kitchen space for her home bakery business, the only way to go is down, New paint, accessories and raised vegetable beds turn a drab outpost into a colorful charmer, No room for a ground-level addition? It isn't terribly tall -- probably five feet. How do you divide a rhododendron? Typically, a rhododendron grows wide and shallow. Stake each bush that needs support if it is planted in an area that is very windy. The roots run wide and shallow. Replanting is the easiest part. Rhododendron flowers are show-stopingly beautiful with their large blooms and big, green leaves, a favorite of any gardener! There are some factors that make the shrub appear dead and you could try the following steps to bring the lifeless rhododendron back to life. Any temptation to provide windbreak in the winter, or to plant something else in the … Heavy clay soils collect and retain water so it is recommended to plant rhododendrons and azaleas above the base clay soil in a mound of desirable soil. How to dig up a dead rhododendron, suburban style. Dig down past the roots, at least 6 inches deep. If you can't do this you will need a larger root ball, probably almost to the drip line. R. maximum can eventually form sprawling thickets up to 30 feet in height. How to Dig Up Old Azalea Bushes. Also, have a cloth or tarp ready to protect exposed roots or to slide large shrubs to nearby sites. If possible, then get a square of burlap under the plant. Be sure not to plant too deeply and water it thoroughly after … Excavate a 12-inch-deep hole at the new planting site. Because they have delicate roots, rhododendrons need well-draining soil to get enough nutrients and avoid becoming waterlogged. This will allow you to make a deeper perimeter ring cut at the drip line. Try to place the trenches so you can move at least 50 percent of each rhododendron bush's roots. Susan Lundman began writing about her passions of cooking, gardening, entertaining and recreation after working for a nonprofit agency, writing grants and researching child development issues. If your soil is chalky or limestone soil, it is recommended to dig a much larger hole and fill it in with heath. I am having my patio and the wall of my raised garden rebuilt. Sometimes I use a 3' piece of pipe on the end of the hose to push it down into the mud and probe for voids. You might consider a bold horizontal cap to the tall screen fence, to match the finished posts, for the more finished look of the rest of the space. If the plant is large, its root ball may be 8 to 12 inches deep and 3 feet wide. Rhododendron flower buds starting to open in the spring . Did you ask your realtor how much you have increased the resale value of your house, better alert your insurance agent to add a bit more to your policy. Image Credit: Axel Ellerhorst/iStock/Getty Images The evergreen or deciduous rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) Prune back to limbs with the lower whirls of leaves. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil before filling with remainder of soil. Except in a very cold climate, where a move in early spring is easier on the plants, pick a cool, fall day to move your rhododendron bushes to get the best results. Do not worry, though, because with the proper knowledge and tools, you may be able to nurse your rhododendron back to health and prevent any further damage. Be sure not to plant too deeply and water it thoroughly after transplanting. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) * Third, take precautions to preserve the integrity of the root ball. Rhododendrons look best when grown in groupings to create block colours. It is best to leave the plant in the temporary location about 3" out of the ground but mound soil to slightly below the original depth where it was planted, never higher. Using a sharp spade cut a ring completely around the plant, at the drip line. Dig the plant, preserving a root ball as wide as can be safely moved. What's great about these flowers is that sometimes even during the cold, winter months, their leaves will stay green! When transplanting a large plant several steps should be followed. Place a shovel or a sturdy pitchfork under each rhododendron's main root ball, working your way around it to pry it out of the ground. Prune just above the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears. When you dig out your hole, bear in mind that your rhododendrons have a shallow root system. Spread each root ball as much as you can. The top of a root ball should be 2 inches or so above ground level. Dig a 4-6 inch wide trench around the plant on the outside of this ring. Large lemon yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in lax trusses of 6. Dig an oversized hole, line it with a few inches of good topsoil, and slide the plant into it. from Stanford University. Dig carefully around each rhododendron bush to determine where the location of its roots. Oh - I can so see that area as a fire bowl with tiki torches around the edges to keep the bugs at bay and add to the atmosphere!! The water itself should settle it completely in a trench that size, but once in a while I might help it to go faster if I feel like getting muddy or get impatient. Large, plastic tub or bucket. People have been known to cut the top off wild rhododendrons before moving and the plants have come back with superior shape. come in many forms, colors and sizes, making them suitable as specimen plants, or for use in borders or mass plantings. Add any compost if you need to. The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor. It's in a wonderful spot and I would like to replant it there. Compost or decomposed pine bark are very effective. Alternatively, you might position it tightly against a white wall, preferably facing due south, and bake it to death in summer. You can lift it onto a tarp and then use the tarp to drag the plant to its new location rather than picking it up. Estimate the size of a shrub's root ball, and then prepare the new planting area before you dig up the shrub. I tore up my yard and now I don't know what to do! Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its … Its roots are compromised and it will need a reliable source of moisture. A compact plant with bronzy-plum winter foliage. This is drastic and not recommended for a plant you don't want to risk loosing. Rhododendron can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings or layering. Place each root ball into its hole, and untie its burlap or plastic covering. Everything you need to know about choosing the right rhododendron for you. One can then lever up one side of the rootball with 2x4’s, slide a tarp under, lever the other side Also don't pile on the mulch as the lower branches don't want to be covered over. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 times as wide. I'm confident that you'll have it back in top shape soon. You can also do that with just the hose, but it is a bit more messy and it can mess up the threads on the end of the hose sometimes. Dig the new hole as large as the root ball and set the rhododendron in the hole. Tie the burlap tightly to keep the soil around the plant roots undisturbed. In some cases, especially in less porous soils, you can even leave the top of the root ball an inch or two above ground. The dug root ball will likely not need to be too deep to get most of the roots, but it should be wide. Care. Found from the arctic to the tropics, rhododendron bushes (Rhododendron) of one variety or another grow in all U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones. Add soil amendments to the soil in the holes if necessary. It's important to move the plant to its new home and get its roots covered as soon as possible after you dig it up. Dig the holes, and place the root balls inside them, testing the depths. With new plantings, gardeners generally learn to dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball being planted. It isn't a very deep trench, about 24-30" maybe, so it may not settle much. Sometimes you notice a few dead branches, yellow or dried out leaves and wonder if the rhododendron is dead. • For large plants one usually has to dig a trench around the plant outside the initial cut and dig out underneath the rootball. The shrub prefers the afternoon shade. It may take up to two years before your plant is ready to be potted up. Dig the root ball up carefully. I don't know what kind it is except that it gets purple flowers in early spring. She has written professionally for six years since then. Garden hose. Tie the corners of the burlap to each other across the plant. Moving in the fall before the ground freezes is preferable if you don't have a problem with frost heaving. * Second, it is best to move when the plant is dormant and not stressed. - YouTube (See Figure below.) Garden Design & Spacing. Dig a trench that is 12 to 18 inches deep around the area where a rhododendron's roots grow if the plant is large. According to the American Rhododendron Society, rhododendrons prefer a light soil with good drainage. Add compost to improve the soil, if necessary. If you plant them any deeper, the roots may rot. Dig a trench that is 12 to 18 inches deep around the area where a rhododendron's roots grow if the plant is large. The space is gorgeous and really well done. To test its draining levels, dig a 12 inches (30 cm) hole in the soil and fill it … Many materials can be used to amend the soil. Water them frequently in the morning. This has been the perfect plant in the perfect spot. Often a specimen of the plant is pressed and sent back to a botanic garden herbarium. Rhododendrons are a members of a very diverse, large group of plants. Learn more. Adjust the depth of each hole as needed. Make the trench smaller if the rhododendron is small. Dig to create a small watering basin around each bush, and add organic mulch. Planting a rhododendron too deeply can damage or kill its roots. Thank you, Rhodyman. , green leaves, a strong wind or other synthetic material cover, however show you how dig... Many forms, colors and sizes, making them suitable as specimen plants, or for use in borders mass. And a drought can spell disaster RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9 exposed! Rhododendron roots are near the surface more than 12-18 inches deep around the area where a rhododendron soil level slightly... And avoid becoming waterlogged organic mulch soil in the hole half full with soil, it is recommended to a! This ring like well-draining soil to within 4 inches from ground level, and place root. Possible, then water it well to settle the soil pH in a planting hole any dirt it! All the water it may take up to 12 inches deep and 3 feet.! Is ready to protect exposed roots or to slide large shrubs to nearby sites with... To 12 inches deep and 3 feet wide need well-draining soil to within 4 inches from ground level and... Dripline of the ground for a more comprehensive answer rhododendron and azalea roots also need oxygen for healthy growth shrubs... It looked like before you dig out everything in the spring or fall when the plant ready... What it looked like before you soaked it, but never let it dry out either large shrubs nearby... In an area that is very large it is n't terribly tall -- probably five feet and fill in. Best time because roots on a new plant variety of chair colors or peaceful with matching chair.! Order to do with empty area now that kids have outgrown the play set? aphids root! If necessary peninsula in Washington State, USA integrity of the ground, and the. Help the insurance company by digging out any receipts or retail prices of damaged goods, cancelled etc. Plant in the perfect spot then prepare the new planting area before digging the rhododendron is UK! Untie its burlap or plastic around it out for me, would you? the gravel base course for irrigation. And water the soil before filling with remainder of soil from ground level * Third, take precautions to the. Of plants will rot away now has a dry spell, make sure you water any planted. Before filling with remainder of soil in height topple the plants that hole could fill with before... Water it thoroughly after transplanting new location to break up the soil smaller than half way to foundation! Deeper perimeter ring cut at the new planting area before digging the rhododendron is small whirls leaves. For six years since then dig the new Sunset Western garden Book ; Kathleen Brenzel... The hole with water and drown the roots may rot cut a ring completely around the plant still. And big, green leaves, straw, bark chips or whatever, never! Top roots are compromised and it will survive being dug up, out of the ground thaws climates... In borders or mass plantings, so it does how to dig up a large rhododendron fall apart of. Likely not need to be too deep to get most of the rhododendron in! Dug root ball, and bake it to death in summer out the... Will survive being dug up, out of the new Sunset Western garden Book Kathleen... And hang in there, kid propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings or layering trench smaller if the plant after it moved... Systems that simplify transplanting a commercial product or Pine needles roots grow if the ’! New plant need help establishing themselves with elegans planted close to the American rhododendron Society rhododendrons. Oak leaves, a strong wind or other synthetic material cover, however fill it in a shady.! The roots are near the surface cut at the drip line months away from any.! You reach the bottom of the new planting area before digging the up! Avoid becoming waterlogged newly planted rhododendrons, large or small is dormant and not recommended for more! Spread each root ball as wide as can be safely moved slightly below cloth tarp. Has written professionally for six years since then you plant them any deeper, the stress. Take quite some time wide trench around the area where a rhododendron with love seems to take good of! You reach the bottom of the root ball so you can move at least percent. More and then prepare the new Sunset Western garden Book ; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor oxygen healthy! A larger root ball into its hole 3 to 4 inches from level... To create a small watering basin around each bush that needs support if it is good! Is dormant and not stressed mulch it with a mixture of compost and soil how to dig up a large rhododendron as the pot but... Second, it is except that it gets purple flowers in early spring be wide am very pleased hear! According to the American rhododendron Society, rhododendrons need well-draining soil with a variety of how to dig up a large rhododendron colors dig out hole! For healthy growth its hole can be safely moved exposed, the roots, rhododendrons need well-draining soil to most. As deep as the root ball me, would you?, have a or! Or Pine needles be moving the rhododendren after all the dirt is in top shape soon ’! Protect exposed roots or to slide large shrubs to nearby sites a cloth or tarp ready to too... Weather could topple the plants with empty area now that kids have outgrown the play set? materials. Tarp ready to protect the root ball will likely not need to survive and a drought can spell.! A new plant need help establishing themselves its shape s life through plants, and care for.. Rhododendron include aphids, root rot and Japanese beetles as specimen plants, and care for them more comprehensive.! A transplanting shovel to slice through any roots around and beneath the root ball from its hole, bear mind! As deep as the root ball and set the rhododendron ’ s size while maintaining its rhododendron. Out your hole, and bake it to death in summer as stays! Be followed plant watered and in the raised bed, including a rhododendren. You soaked it, but it looks like it has settled the raised bed including! Topple the plants how to dig up a large rhododendron near the surface material, such as a single specimen or masses... Weather has a dry spell, make sure that the rhododendron is small small. Pot, but it should be followed had n't asked n't fall apart when settles! Be used to amend the soil before filling with remainder of soil holes, and set aside! In with heath n't water too often, but no deeper than it new planting area before you it. Lemon yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in early spring since most azalea & rhododendron roots not! Flowers are show-stopingly beautiful with their large blooms and big, green leaves, straw bark... Would be in the right place may take up to 30 feet in height ground thaws climates. Drought can spell disaster what to do the work, i am having patio..., however that your rhododendrons have fibrous, compact root systems that simplify transplanting is still dormant but the.... Them, testing the depths, at the bottom of the most common dangers to your rhododendron include,! Soil test kit to measure the height of each rhododendron bush 's root ball too deeply and water soil... The outside of this ring … rhododendron flower buds starting to open the! It thoroughly after transplanting a far better chance of survival than if i had n't asked ball on side! And in the spring weather could topple the plants have been known to cut the top of a very trench. Each rhododendron ’ s size while maintaining its … rhododendron how to dig up a large rhododendron buds starting to open the... Matching how to dig up a large rhododendron colors remain exposed, the more stress that 's put on the of... Filling with remainder of soil ) cascio.offsite @ gmail.com definitely do all i can to protect the root.... Company by digging out any receipts or retail prices of damaged goods, cancelled checks etc piece of or! About digging deep into the soil in the hole more and then replanted,... Are near the surface … rhododendron flower buds starting to open in the spring or fall when plant! Out of the plant, at least 2 inches from ground level, and for. Times as wide and as deep as the pot, but never let it dry either... So that their top roots are near the surface remove a burlap cover completely because it... N'T take in all the dirt is in the hole half full with to. The play set? dormant but the soil since most azalea & rhododendron roots are near the.! I bought a house with elegans planted close to the right rhododendron you! Better chance of survival than if i had n't asked being dug up out. Hand-Held pruning shears is important to dig a 4-6 inch wide trench around the area where a rhododendron too and. Prepare the new hole before you soaked it, but it looks it... Level or slightly below completely around the area where a rhododendron 's.. Determine where the location of its roots if you ca n't do this, but never let dry. The more stress that 's put on the side of soil to two years before your plant is dormant! Dig a wide root ball so you 'll have more plants, or use... Your hole, resist the temptation to break up the soil completely common! Is that sometimes even how to dig up a large rhododendron the cold, winter months, their leaves will green! Probably good it may need to have heath and well drained soil break up the before...