I'm on the Eastern Shore. My rhodo languished for several years until I started regularly feeding it with acid-loving plant food. Perked right up after that.

They definitely need high acid soil and a lot of water the first year. It is SOOOO humid here. You could try asking your neighbor for a sucker or if they want to divide theirs as it is a proven variety. You could also try snipping off some new growth to root it yourself. Everyone says you can't grow rhodies in central and eastern Maryland, but the older neighborhoods all have them and they are huge and thriving so that obviously isn't true. Keep trying!!! You'll succeed eventually.

Jen

I also have neighbor rhodo envy. I planted some R. maximus last fall and they seem to be doing well. I just read that planting them in a mix of 2 parts pine bark mulch, 2 parts topsoil, and 1 part sand will make them very happy. I know they need good drainage and the right soil mixture because the roots are very shallow.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rhodie care