What's the sun aspect? Deadnettle (Lamium), vinca, wintergreen, bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and hardy gingers are classic groundcover companions for rhodies, preferring both the partial shade and acidic soil rhodies enjoy. Hardy cyclamen also grow well in these conditions, but do go dormant for an extended period. But it sounds like your rhodies could be growing in quite a lot of sun. Ajuga or erodium are possibilities.

> What's the sun aspect?

This area faces east, but does have a number of tall douglas firs around, so it does not get a full day of sun.

> Deadnettle (Lamium), vinca, wintergreen, bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and hardy gingers are classic groundcover companions for rhodies, preferring both the partial shade and acidic soil rhodies enjoy. Hardy cyclamen also grow well in these conditions, but do go dormant for an extended period. But it sounds like your rhodies could be growing in quite a lot of sun. Ajuga or erodium are possibilities.

Thanks very much. I will look into these.

Paul

Use something of suitable vigor to grow among dwarf rhododendrons, that won't overwhelm and choke them. It will probably have to be pretty short and restrained, something on the order of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) to play well with 4 ft.* rhododendrons.

*Such sizes given by dealers are usually representative 10 year heights, not ultimate sizes. When it has been 10 years since the plant was tiny, it may be 4 ft. high. In another 10+ years it may be 8 ft. high. And so on.

bboy, thanks also for your advice.

Paul

The wintergreen would be nice, it always looks great, and has red berries in fall. Vinca minor would only bloom in spring but there are a couple of very nice variegated ones that always look great and really brighten up the ground. Bulbs would be able to grow up through either.