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…
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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…
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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…
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The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity as I’ve been frantically selecting scion material for our rhododendron cuttings. February and March have kept me on my toes, with the unpredictable summer weather making things particularly tricky. Some cutting material hasn’t hardened off properly, while others have done so too early—meaning we’ve had…
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Over the past couple of months, we’ve faced some challenges in freighting plants across the country, but I want to take you behind the scenes and share the exciting changes we’re making to improve the process. First, let me say how much I appreciate the incredible patience many of you have shown while we worked…
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Powdery mildew has become a growing concern for many gardeners in recent years, especially on certain plant varieties. It’s a sneaky little fungus that starts small but can cause big problems if left unchecked. Let’s check out what it is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how to manage and prevent it. What is…
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Indumentum: The Secret Weapon on Rhododendron Leaves 🌿 Ever flipped over a rhododendron leaf and noticed a soft, fluffy layer underneath? That’s called indumentum – and it’s a real garden superpower. Indumentum refers to the soft, woolly or velvety hairs found on the underside of rhododendron leaves. Depending on the variety, it can look silvery-white,…
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What a Year It’s Been! Wow, what a year! After hitting the road for a New Zealand-wide rhodo road trip, it quickly showed important it is to start doing more of our own propagating. So, we sharpened our secateurs and got to work, beginning to collect material in February. Selecting cuttings was the quick part;…
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Each year, I’ve had grand plans to add some Christmas decorations to the nursery, and this year, I’m finally on to it! The Thuja trees, which protect our plants from the afternoon sun in the shade house, make the perfect Christmas trees. With a little inspiration from Pinterest, I’ve turned some wooden pallets into fun…
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Have you ever noticed the striking markings inside certain rhododendron flowers? Known as blotches or sometimes the eye, these unique colour patches sit on the upper petal lobes or deep within the flower. Far from just a pretty detail, each blotch is a work of art, adding charm and depth to the rhododendron’s appeal. They…
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