Getting rid of Rhododendrons
pumpernickel
Posts: 28
Morning all! I have, on a bit of a whim, just hacked down four massive rhodie bushes that were topping a retaining stone wall alongside my drive, revealing a big beautiful border, ready for lots of new interesting plants. I have removed every single leaf that I can find - I know it will be an ongoing battle but I have often heard Bob Flowerdew say that if you keep cutting leaves off plants they will have no choice but to die, EVENTUALLY. Anyway, my question is this: I know that the leaves of the rhododendron breakdown when they fall and poison anything that tries to grow through them (I saw it on the BBC coverage of the The Chelsea Flower Show). Is there a residual effect in the earth or is this just like a super-villian mulch that I can remove before replanting the area. In short, can I plant NOW
or must I wait 
Thanks as always!! x
Posts
What plants do they poison, I have primroses, daffs, montbretia, rose of sharon, a self seeded buddlia, solemans seal, lots of annuals, a perennial sweet pea, several plants grow under it.
It's a myth that they poison the soil. Clear the leaves the soil will be fine. Bet they are not dead though.
I thought that Gemma!