Can I plant it in a large container and expect it to survive winters?
If so, how should I best plant it?
Thank you.
Will A Rhododendron 'Yaku Prince' Survive Outdoors In A Container?
Filed Under: Rhododendrons, Container Gardens, Container Gardens · Keywords: Will, Rhododendron, Yaku Prince, Survive, Live, Outdoors, Outside, Container · 2339 Views
1 Answer
Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Gabriele-The Rhododendron 'Yaku Prince' can be grown in a container as it is one of the more compact smaller growing rhododendrons. Many do not recommend planting rhododendrons in pots but I think this is mainly due to their shallow wide root system. Planted in pots the shallow root system is more apt to dry out or be subjected to saturation by poorly draining soil.
The rhododendron must be planted in a loose and porous soil mix that is well draining. Rhododentrons are no different than growing azaleas and camelias in containers. As long as the soil in the pot is kept moist not wet or dry you should have no problems growing them in pots. No matter what pot you chose it should never be located where it is not protected from any hot afternoon sun. In most locations rhododendrons need protection from direct hot afternoon sun anyways. Your better nurseries and garden centers will carry quality planting soil mixes for these types of plants (Rhododendron, Azalea, Camelia) needing good drainage and more acidic soils. I personally never buy my planting mixes from the large box stores as I have never found a quality product that will stay well draining and not become broken down into sluge within a year. Be sure whatever container or pot you choose it has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom.
As far as surviving the winter this would depend on your locations hardiness zone. The 'Yaku Prince' Rhododendron is cold hardy to zone 5 but in a container you would take away one zone (now zone 6) unless you can move the container to a more protected area for the winter or wrap the container well with burlap or blanket of some kind to keep the roots from damage from freezing temperatures. The plants in containers is of course more suseptable to heating and freezing than if planted in the ground. You can find your hardiness zone by clicking on Hardiness Zones in the upper right corner of any page in Gardenality. If you give me your city and state I can look it up for you.
Hopefully this has answered your question. Please ask if you have any others.
John)
The rhododendron must be planted in a loose and porous soil mix that is well draining. Rhododentrons are no different than growing azaleas and camelias in containers. As long as the soil in the pot is kept moist not wet or dry you should have no problems growing them in pots. No matter what pot you chose it should never be located where it is not protected from any hot afternoon sun. In most locations rhododendrons need protection from direct hot afternoon sun anyways. Your better nurseries and garden centers will carry quality planting soil mixes for these types of plants (Rhododendron, Azalea, Camelia) needing good drainage and more acidic soils. I personally never buy my planting mixes from the large box stores as I have never found a quality product that will stay well draining and not become broken down into sluge within a year. Be sure whatever container or pot you choose it has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom.
As far as surviving the winter this would depend on your locations hardiness zone. The 'Yaku Prince' Rhododendron is cold hardy to zone 5 but in a container you would take away one zone (now zone 6) unless you can move the container to a more protected area for the winter or wrap the container well with burlap or blanket of some kind to keep the roots from damage from freezing temperatures. The plants in containers is of course more suseptable to heating and freezing than if planted in the ground. You can find your hardiness zone by clicking on Hardiness Zones in the upper right corner of any page in Gardenality. If you give me your city and state I can look it up for you.
Hopefully this has answered your question. Please ask if you have any others.
John)
Additional comments about this answer:
Gabriele Schafer · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Thank you so much for this helpful and quick response, John. It's really appreciated (love this site!). There's a lot of confusing information out there, including on the tag that came with the plant itself, because all rhododendrons are not created equal. I live in New York City and have a large container in a shaded area that I'm trying unsuccessfully so far to get plants to enjoy. This one should work just fine if I protect it a little in the winter. Thanks again!
Maple Tree · Gardenality Genius · Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F
You're very welcome. Glad you are enjoying Gardenality. It has been a great tool for me and others in helping and making our gardening not only more successful but more rewarding. Besides being helpful it is a lot of fun using all the features and taking the quizzes that are available. Please ask if you have any questions at all.
Maple Tree · Gardenality Genius · Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F
New York city would be hardiness zone 6b which should be fine with a little protection of the plant in winter. Be sure not to let the pots soil dry out in the winter. Before any hard frost or cold nights are expected water the plant making sure the soil is moist. The water or moisture in the soil helps to raise soil temperature and helps to insulate the roots from freezing. Let me know how you make out growing your rodo in a pot.
Gabriele Schafer · Gardenality Seed · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
See, now that is really good to know. That's maybe how I killed my last plant. I just assumed that they went dormant in winter and didn't need watering aside from the rain and melting snow. Maybe I just let it die of thirst and/or the roots froze. I'm determined to have this little guy make it. Thanks again!
Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
John gave some great advice. Only thing I might add is to ensure good drainage you can add a little pine bark mini-nuggets to the soil mixture. Our nursery sells quite a few container-grown rhododendrons and I can always see a little pine bark in the soil.
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