Problems with Azaleas and rhododendrons

[Dan_Shade]

I'm posting this here because it's an "identity my problem request".  I wasn't real sure about which board to post into....

Our Azaleas and rhododendrons look awful. We put some fertilizer on today.  The soil has a lot of clay. 


 

 

 

 

 

[DelawhereJoe]

You may want to look into your soils ph, I believe they will tolerate ph down to 4.5 and like the 5-6 range. You should be able to get a cheap soil kit from a hardware store or big box store.

[Ianab]

Yup, they originally came from temperate rainforest area, and like rich acidic soil and plenty of water.  They grow well in my area, and one of the biggest Rhododendron gardens in the world was just up the road from where I grew up. I was basically carved out of the native rain forest in the foothills of the Mt, where they get 160-180" of rain annually. 

There are some hints here on growing them. Part shade, peat and cow manure in the soil to lower the pH, and a deep layer of mulch (old leaves etc) to keep the moisture in etc. 
https://m.yates.co.nz/flowers/grow/growing-azaleas/

This is apparently the biggest rhododendron in the Sth Hemisphere, by the war memorial monument in Inglewood, a few miles up the road. So they must grow well in our climate / soil. 
Google maps

[Southside]

How much sun are they getting? What side of the house are they on?

[Dan_Shade]

Partial sun in the morning they're on the east side of the house. 

[Roxie]

Mine are on the north side and in the shade of the house, which is also the most moist area of my property.  They are mulched in small stones over landscape paper.  I use Hollytone fertilizer in the spring. 

The rhododendron on the right side, and the azalea by the door are 30 years old.