Behind The Scenes

A cardboard box with a blue plastic liner holds bulbs and features a printed photo labeled "Belville," showing a yellow lily—a perfect rhodo companion—taped to the side.

Last Call for Bulbs! A Rhodo Companion

If you haven’t already popped your spring bulbs in the ground… don’t panic, but now’s the time to get moving. I just found a rogue bucket of forgotten daffodils in my shed (whoops), and some of mine were so eager they actually flowered in May. Nature’s definitely having a bit of a laugh this season!…

Read More...

Pots of Colour: Rhododendrons that Thrive in Containers

If you’ve ever dreamed of having vibrant rhododendron blooms but don’t have the perfect garden soil—or any garden space at all—you’re in luck. Rhododendrons are surprisingly happy in containers, making them perfect for patios, balconies, courtyards, and even rental properties. Whether you’re dealing with clay-heavy ground or just want to add colour and structure to…

Read More...
A hand holds six rhododendron leaves arranged in a fan, showing a gradient of colors from red and orange to yellow leaves, green, and dark green—highlighting how plant problems can affect rhododendron foliage.

Yellow Leaves? It’s Not Always a Problem – Here’s What Your Rhododendron Is Telling You

Why Are My Rhododendron Leaves Yellowing? Don’t Panic – It’s Nature Doing Its Thing! Isn’t the weather just wild lately? I don’t know about you, but my poor hens thought it was winter and stopped laying — then, out of the blue, the sun came out, temperatures lifted for a week, and voilà… eggs again!…

Read More...
A woman in a plaid coat kneels on the ground in a wooded area, holding a small black dog among fallen leaves and branches—it's truffling time.

Truffling Time

🍄 Behind the Scenes – Truffle Trouble and Treasure! If you’ve ever visited the nursery, you’ve probably noticed the hedged rows of pines on one side and the neat rows of hazelnuts on the other. What you might not realise is that under those very trees, something quite special is going on… there’s a whole…

Read More...
Three images: collected fallen leaves in a bin, a person raking leaves into a wheelbarrow, and garden beds mulched with leaves to enrich the soil under shrubs and trees.

Mulch Me Tender: The Dirty Romance Between Leaves and Soil!

🍂 Let the Leaves Fall Where They May… and Then Put Them to Work! It’s been a slow start to leaf-fall this year, hasn’t it? But with the recent cold snap, the trees have finally given in — and the leaves are tumbling down like confetti in the wind. If your garden is starting to…

Read More...
Single-story house with a dark roof partially hidden behind a lush living wall of blooming purple and pink hedge rhododendrons along the sidewalk.

How to Hedge Rhododendrons — Creating a Living Wall That Blooms

How to Hedge Rhododendrons in NZ — Creating a Living Wall That Blooms If you’re dreaming of a hedge that’s more than just green leaves and a trim job every few weeks, rhododendrons might just be the showstopper you’re after. With their lush growth and vibrant blooms, they make a stunning alternative to the usual…

Read More...
A straw bale with grass on top sits in front of a stack of hay bales in an open farm area, highlighting practical gardening and weed control methods, with wooden structures and hoses visible in the background.

May Growing Tips – A Little Help for the Weeds!

Oh my goodness, I don’t think any of us need any tips on growing weeds this year! It has been, without a doubt, the worst 12 months for keeping on top of those unwanted plants that just seem to pop up everywhere. As our daughter Samantha wisely said, “Mum, you realise that if you leave…

Read More...
A well-maintained garden featuring lush green Rhododendrons and shrubs next to a neatly cut lawn, basking in bright sunlight with some shadows and a visible lens flare—perfect inspiration for those seeking fresh landscaping ideas.

Designing with Drama: Landscaping Ideas that Let Rhododendrons Shine

We’re always testing combinations, tweaking layouts, and looking for that magic mix of beauty and resilience. One of the parts I enjoy most about running RhodoDirect is helping customers work through their planting plans. Many of you come in with sketches, photos, or even just a rough idea in your heads, and together we nut…

Read More...
Pathway bordered by flowering shrubs and rhododendrons with clusters of pink, purple, and yellow blooms, surrounded by green foliage and trees in the background.

Rhododendrons for Hedges and Screens: Practical, Beautiful, and Surprisingly Tough

When it comes to creating a functional and beautiful garden, rhododendrons are a fantastic choice for hedging and screening. Their dense evergreen foliage makes them ideal for blocking out undesirable views, masking an entrance, or simply dividing one part of the garden from another. Whether you’re aiming for privacy, a sound barrier, or just a…

Read More...
A plant in a plastic pot, partially buried in soil and surrounded by mulch and green leaves under sunlight, mirrors the careful plant care required for Rhododendron success.

Planting Rhododendrons: Setting Them Up for Success

Here at RhodoDirect, all our plants are grown in pots, enabling you to plant them at any time of the year. But if you have a choice, autumn is the best season. The soil is still warm enough to encourage root development, but the plant’s water demands are lower than in summer. This gives your…

Read More...