Planting:
For a rhododendron that is growing in a container, first remove it and check to see if the rootball is dry. If it is, soak in water until thoroughly moist. Plants that are root or pot-bound should be scored. This means to scratch the outer surface of the roots with your fingers or a sharp instrument. At the chosen site, dig a hole approximately three times as wide as the rootball and a few inches deeper than the height of the rootball. Depending on your soil type, the addition of organic matter may be appropriate. If the soil is dry, add water and let it drain. Place the plant with the top surface of the rootball slightly higher than the surrounding ground surface. Next, bring the soil up to the edge of the rootball and firm in gently with your hands. Water in thoroughly. Depending on the size of the plant, mulch the root zone with up to two inches of a coarse organic material such as bark, leaving clear an area of an inch or so around the trunk to prevent rot. The optimal times for planting are spring and autumn.