Thanks so much for your feedback. It is reassuring. I've never grown rhododendrons before and am relieved that I don't have to spend hours winterizing. I think I'll keep the Roseum elegans and Landmark rhododendron based on your feedback. How many years have you had your Roseum elegans? Any height is fine, but could I prune it to be more slender so as to not cover a pathway? It can also have ample room to grow wide north and south, just not west out into the path. Any thoughts on whether this would work? Is the plant at all vase shaped so I could prune out lower branches or is it more balloon shaped?

If you aren't familiar with rhodys, and you live in an area where the soil has to be amended, they can be extremely finicky plants.

I'm planning to change the soil where I plant to increase acidity,

==>>> grown Rs in livonia and adrain MI for 35 plus years... not aware that you need to change out soil ... where did you come up with that ...

what did your MSU soil test tell you about your soil???

ken

As Ken said, get a soil test done for pH since as far as I know your area doesn't need amending. As long as the number on the pH is less than 7 (ideally less than 6.5 or so) you have acid enough soil for rhodies.

Yes, you can keep them pruned to make them narrower, but prune a bit more than needed and let them fill back in. Don't let branches sucker. Or just swing the path out a bit.

My spot has a few -- maybe even several -- hours morning sun and when not is fairly bright shade much of the time -- or at least today has appeared so. I had a soil test done and the Ph was a little over 7, which is why I assume I need to alter the soil. I do have blueberries growing and also altered the soil for them. I planted them last year, but so far they're doing well. I'm getting discouraged with the idea of all the extra work rhododendrons might require with soil amending and winter care and am wondering if I should go for hydrangeas, black lace sambucus, and maybe a variegated weigela that can handle half shade instead. Or, I could just keep one or two rhododendrons and mix them in with a few of those others? I do see neighbors with azaleas and rhododendrons blooming and there are huge blueberry farms near me. So, this must be a decent climate for the plants. Any encouraging words or would you change course? Thanks for your feedback so far.

@NHBabs, I just re-read your comments. I have decided to return the Holden. It is the two others I'm deciding about. It is encouraging that you are in a much colder zone and have not had to deal with winter protection. Do you get quite a bit of snow to help insulate them? Here it's sometimes snowy and sometimes just gray and cold. It's so helpful to hear of your actual experiences with two of the varieties. Thank you.

My soil pH is 7.2, and so far I am 1 for 5 in establishing Rhododendrons. Yes, there are big, established ones around, and yes, there is a blueberry farm down the road. But the rhododendrons all look the same, large light purple things, and none of the neighbors have recently planted any.

We get anywhere from almost no snow to 120". But if you have pH above 7, I'd go for something different. I'm a firm believer in using plants that will be happy without extraordinary measures.

OK, that's it. I'm returning the plants for those better suited for my yard. Maybe later, I'll try one when I have lots of leisure time. It might also be interesting to do some soil tests in different spots of my yard. There's always a chance that that spot has fill dirt that's a higher pH. But, either way for now back they go. Thanks everyone!

FWIW - I returned the rhododendrons and planted a Shining Sensation Weigela, Black Lace Sambacus and a small Rainbow Sensation Weigela for near the gate. I might add a Vanilla Strawberry hydrangea later, depending on how everything is doing. It looks great with the contrast between the purple foliage and variegated foliage and different leaf types and everything is supposed to be low maintenance in this area. All say they can handle part-shade and so I'm hoping they work out. Thanks for your help!