Woodland WONDERS

Easy-care rhododendrons and azaleas make a splash in spring

Spring zing!

Want to turn a shady corner into somewhere bold, bright and fabulous? Try planting a rhododendron or azalea.

These woodland-lovers produce masses of flowers from March through to May. Choose from shades of red and pink, through to lilac, purple, yellow and white.

They may be trouble-free and resilient, but they’re picky about the soil they grow in, needing acidic, moist and free-draining conditions. If your soil isn’t suitable, grow them in containers instead.

The differences

Rhododendrons and azaleas belong to the same plant family, but there are definite differences between the two.