Rhododendrons form new buds during the summer; if you cut buds off during their development there will not be flowers for next year’s display. Many flowering shrubs form buds in the same season as they flower and it is natural for them to survive the winter, unless something unusual happens.

I’m sure you are curious about buds forming but not opening now; it’s just not time yet. But, there’s always an exception! If we happen to get a warming trend, some buds will open. Occasionally if the weather is extremely cold, buds may freeze and not survive well for the coming spring and summer flowering season.

Water well at least once a week during the growing season and add pine bark mulch to conserve moisture. Keep plants watered during warm winter weather. If we get enough rain once a week that may be sufficient so you don’t have to water.

Compost laid on top of the soil yearly in spring is always helpful to condition the soil. Once the ground is frozen, and you did not mulch around your shrub (6 inches away from the trunk), you can mulch with pine bark while the ground is frozen. Rhododendrons like acid soil and part shade.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service   More from our helpful libguides here