Rhododendrons have the most spectacular flowers when they bloom in late spring and the fact that they grow in dappled or part shade, makes them such a useful plant to have in the garden for structure and style.

Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from a plant. Deadheading prevents the flowers from going to seed and rhododendrons should be deadheaded too in order to give the plant energy for more flower production next year. Deadheading will also give your rhododendron a tidier appearance until next year’s flowering period.

Simply snap each individual flower truss off at the base but be careful not to break off the emerging buds coming through above the whorl of leaves, those are next year’s flower buds. Just break off the spent flower using your thumb and forefinger.