Is it true that its impossible to under plant a rhododendron with anything?

Question

i have a smallish bush and there are lots of plants around it ,yet i have been told the reason there are loads of rhododendron bushes in parks etc with nothing under them is because its impossible for things to grow there.if this is true,why are my plants growing happily together.will they all die when the bush gets bigger.its 3 foot high now and compact

Answer 1

Actually there is some truth behind that, acid loving plants and non acid loving plants  don't generally do well in your situation.  They will grow side by side but not directly under the acid loving plants.  Usually what happens is one or the other will do well and the 2nd one will be bad.  

Answer 2

Chances are that at some point in the future your rhododendron will crowd out the plants beneath it. I've noticed that most huge rhododendrons and azaleas have little to nothing beneath them, not even grass. I believe it is because the shadows are so dense beneath.  

But you have planted some great companion plants for your bush.  At some point you will probably want to gently remove them and simply place them further out.

Happy Gardening!

Answer 3

Rhodies have shallow root systems... it's not so much that things 'can't ' grow there, but that it's a better idea to not have anything planted there to interfere with  it's roots or compete for food and water.... only thing under one should be a nice layer of compost and mulch......

Answer 4

What I remember about rhododendrons is you should never disturbed the roots once they are established. . If you already have plants there it shouldn't hurt either one. The  rhododendron may grow large and smother the other plants eventually, if they are under the plant. but if they around the plant it shouldn't be a problem. Mine is about 5’ tall now but I never planted around mine.

Answer 5

Ive never heard that garden myth and thier is no reason for it.

AHHHH another garden myth.

Root system is shallow so dont go nuts when digging and planting. Maybe thats where the myth started, is having to do with the shallow root system of Rhodies.