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Grow for Beauty

When to plant Rhododendron in Australia

A practical climate-by-climate starting point for planting rhododendron, plus care details to help it establish well.

StartPlant a young shrubLightPart shadeTimingFlowers in 1–2 seasonsDifficultyModerate
Rhododendron plant
Rhododendron · Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
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Australian planting calendar

Best months by climate

Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.

Tropical

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Rhododendron is not usually recommended for this broad climate without a protected position or specialist variety.

Subtropical

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for June, July, August.

Temperate

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for June, July, August, September.

Cool temperate

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for June, July, August, September.

Mediterranean

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JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait

Aim for June, July, August.

Care essentials

Help rhododendron settle in

Soil
Well-prepared soil with compost and reliable drainage
Water
Keep moist while establishing, then water deeply when the surface dries
Spacing
Usually 20–60 cm; check the mature width on the label
Patch tip
Remove spent flowers where appropriate to extend the display and reduce disease.