Large Leaf

Catawba Rhododendron

 The Rhododendrons are beginning to flower with abundance. These large leaf varieties are common in the landscape,but many people will make the mistake of planting to close to buildings and structures. This one here is fully mature at 12 or 15 feet and 8 or 9 feet wide. The time to prune these ornamentals would be right after they flower. They will have good regenerative growth, however planted to close to a house or shed and the harsher the pruning cut the worse for the plant. Planted in a proper place and pruning is minimal with routine dead wooding and removing crossing branches.  Prefers some shade rather then full sun, but it can handle it with proper irrigating and fertilization. I generally do not fertilize my home shrubs and use what ever I am using on the lawn, but every so often I do like to give certain plants a good feeding of organic material such at Nature Safe or Milorgenite. And the Rhododendron is one that will need some fert. Also check with your nursery to see what varieties they have and what will work best for your situation. I definitely recommend having one or several if you can fit them. Boule De Neige is a specimen that will stay more of a low growing and perhaps a better selection when using around buildings, but the color is white.

The vegetable garden has not yet been planted with only a couple of minutes being spent out there turning the soil. Our garden is not that big, but enough to keep you busy during the summer months. Our seedlings have started and we will also visit Meadowbrook Farm for our other plants this spring.  The column is a little short this week as is with the past ones. If you are a groundskeeper this is your busy time of year, so as I burn the mid night oil I will try and think of other interesting things to write.. I am still getting started on the trash fee issue so bare with me. Good Luck, and looking forward to the un official start to summer. Oh I almost forgot, Creative Cause in the Preakness.

                                                    Edward Pagliaro ( The original Eduardo ) C.G.M.

P.S. That was some Hot Stuff Donna Summer.