READER’S QUESTION

THREE lusty camellias grow in the garden we moved to recently. Knowing those need acidic soil, I planted two rhododendrons nearby. Both have poor growth — why? rhododendrons are more sensitive to alkaline soils than camellias. My garden soil is mainly neutral, edging to alkaline in places. Camellias grow well but rhododendrons languish. you could try helping your plants by working sulphur into the soil each year and treating them with sequestered iron. you could also feed them with ericaceous plant food.