Answer #3 · Mina Cummings's Answer · Thank you for all your help John , I think you are absolutely right , when I lifted the azalea..I didn't even need a fork it just pulled out...the roots were very wet. I think I will be looking in my local garden centres for the dwarf hydrangea. That sounds just right.)

Answer #2 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Mina-I'm sorry the azalea didn't do well. They normally do well with the rhododendrons as they like the same growing conditions. If the winter was mild in your location it may have been too much water that killed the plant. They definitely like a well draining soil as too much water around the roots can suffocate the plant or cause root rot. I noted some links to plants that would be good companion plants to the Rhododendron with a white or yellow flower. When looking at the plant files you will see the plants picture and their characteristics. Although some may grow a little larger than you would like most can be pruned to keep at a desired height and width. Just click on the links to go directly to the plant files.

Pieris

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/678/Shrubs/Sugar-Run-Falls-Pieris.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/2570/Shrubs/Scarlet-Ohara-Japanese-Pieris.html

Laurel

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3103/Shrubs/Pristine-Mountain-Laurel.html

Mahonia

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/164/Shrubs/Leatherleaf-Mahonia.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/2208/Shrubs/Soft-Caress-Mahonia.html

Astilbe

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/2375/Perennial-Plants/Milk-And-Honey-Astilbe.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1207/Perennial-Plants/Deutchland-Astilbe.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1843/Shrubs/Annabelle-Hydrangea.html
Azalea

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3935/Shrubs/Coastal-Azalea.html

Viburnum

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3568/Shrubs/Fragrant-Snowball-Viburnum.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1964/Shrubs/Eskimo-Viburnum.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3832/Shrubs/Conoy-Viburnum.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/2841/Perennial-Plants/David-Viburnum.html

Camellia

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/2067/Shrubs/Alba-Plena-Camellia-Japonica.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/3576/Shrubs/Bride-October-Magic-Camellia.html

Hydrangea

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/620/Perennial-Plants/Incrediball-Hydrangea.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/837/Shrubs/Dwarf-Oakleaf-Hydrangea-Pee-Wee.html

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/1854/Shrubs/Emile-Mouillere-Hydrangea.html

Please let me know if I can help with any other suggestions or other questions you may have.

John)