Yes. They are woodland plants, after all, Some azaleas prefer sun, but again, many of them like shade, too.

Thanks for that - I'll have a look round for one!

Regards
Cath

Light, dappled shade is best, as otherwise they get a big leggy in time.

Thanks for your advice - my neighbour has cut back our tree branches of a conifer on his side - leaving a big gap - so the new plant would be in the shade of the remaining large conifer - with a fence behind it - what do you mean by dappled shade?

Regards
Cath

dappled shade is semi shade i.e. the rhododendron would get some filtered sunlight but no direct sunlight. It sounds as if you will be planting in full shade, this can cause the rhododendron to grow 'leggy' i.e. put up long branches with leaves and flowers just at the end.

Thanks for the advice - can you think of any other suitable plant or shub for this place instead of a rhododendron. I really need it to grow tall to hide next door's greenhouse!.

Regards,
Cath

I had a english laurel growing in a corner that was in almost permenant shade except for an hour or so in the morning during high summer. it grew so big I had to cut it down and take it out.
I tried pruning it right back but it just sprouted and sprouted.

What about Aucuba japonica (spotted laurel)? I've got one in a very shady corning of my garden. The leaves are dark green with interesting yellow spots and you get large red berries too.

I'm a little concerned that you may have problems when you come to dig in that area - there could well be roots from the conifer there, and the soil will be impoverished if that's the case. You may need to dig in LOTS of compost to give your new shrub a 'boost'.

Good point Spritz

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info.