I’ve been signing up many new garden coaching clients in the last couple of weeks. Many of them are complaining that their established rhododendrons are declining rapidly this summer. Most are very concerned they have soil problems. Some have just moved into homes and are wondering what the prior owners did that might be causing the rhodies to decline. Others have hinted that they hire spraying services (and have no idea what is being sprayed) to “fix” the rhodies. Some say they’ve been fertilizing nearby lawn heavily, which I suspect may be affecting their shrubs. At this point I’m not sure what the problem is, but it sounds like its happening throughout the greater Seattle area. I’m looking forward to working with these people and their gardens to find solutions to this issue. My guess is that some will be fairly easy to diagnose. Others will likely need soil testing.

Anyone out there finding consistent problem with established Rhodies in the greater Seattle area? Perhaps we can work together to save these beautiful plants!