Burnt rhododendron leaves (leaves that appear burned,
scorched, or browned and crisp) are not necessarily diseased. This kind of
damage is most likely due to unfavorable environmental and weather conditions.
There are some things you can do to prevent curled, crispy rhododendron leaves
and repair damaged plants.
Signs and Causes of Rhododendron Stress Burn
Stress burn or scorch is a phenomenon that is not uncommon
in broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron.
The stresses triggered by unfavorable weather can cause:
- Browning on the tips of leaves
- Browning along the margins of leaves
- Extended browning and crispy leaves
- Curled leaves
Scorch can be caused by dryness in winter.
Especially windy and cold conditions can cause the leaves to lose more water
than the roots can take up in frozen soil. The same thing can happen during
particularly hot, dry conditions including summer droughts.
It’s also possible that stress burns and scorch are
triggered by excessive water. Standing water and boggy conditions can cause
enough stress to damage leaves.
What to Do with Rhododendron with Scorched Leaves
Damaged leaves and branches may or may not recover. Leaves
that curled up over the winter are protecting themselves and will likely open
up again in the spring. Leaves with excessive browning from winter or summer
stress probably will not recover.
Watch for recovery and if leaves don’t bounce back or
branches don’t develop new buds and growth in the spring, trim them off the
plant. You should get new growth in other areas of the plant in the spring. The
damage is not likely to destroy the entire rhododendron.
Preventing Leaf Scorch on Rhododendrons
To prevent winter
rhododendron stress burn, take good care of the bushes during the growing
season. This means providing at least an inch (2.5 cm.) of water per week. Water
your rhododendrons each week if rain is inadequate.
Take care in providing enough water in the fall to ready the
bush for winter conditions. Watering in the summer when temperatures are high
and drought is possible is also important for preventing summer
stress burns.
You can also choose a more protected location for planting
rhododendron to prevent winter and summer injury. Adequate shade will protect
plants in summer and wind blocks will help them avoid damage in both winter and
summer. You can use burlap to block drying winter winds.
Prevent stress caused by standing water as well. Only plant
rhododendron shrubs in areas where the soil will drain well. Avoid boggy,
marshy areas.
Burnt rhododendron leaves (leaves that appear burned,
scorched, or browned and crisp) are not necessarily diseased. This kind of
damage is most likely due to unfavorable environmental and weather conditions.
There are some things you can do to prevent curled, crispy rhododendron leaves
and repair damaged plants.
Signs and Causes of Rhododendron Stress Burn
Stress burn or scorch is a phenomenon that is not uncommon
in broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron.
The stresses triggered by unfavorable weather can cause:
- Browning on the tips of leaves
- Browning along the margins of leaves
- Extended browning and crispy leaves
- Curled leaves
Scorch can be caused by dryness in winter.
Especially windy and cold conditions can cause the leaves to lose more water
than the roots can take up in frozen soil. The same thing can happen during
particularly hot, dry conditions including summer droughts.
It’s also possible that stress burns and scorch are
triggered by excessive water. Standing water and boggy conditions can cause
enough stress to damage leaves.
What to Do with Rhododendron with Scorched Leaves
Damaged leaves and branches may or may not recover. Leaves
that curled up over the winter are protecting themselves and will likely open
up again in the spring. Leaves with excessive browning from winter or summer
stress probably will not recover.
Watch for recovery and if leaves don’t bounce back or
branches don’t develop new buds and growth in the spring, trim them off the
plant. You should get new growth in other areas of the plant in the spring. The
damage is not likely to destroy the entire rhododendron.
Preventing Leaf Scorch on Rhododendrons
To prevent winter
rhododendron stress burn, take good care of the bushes during the growing
season. This means providing at least an inch (2.5 cm.) of water per week. Water
your rhododendrons each week if rain is inadequate.
Take care in providing enough water in the fall to ready the
bush for winter conditions. Watering in the summer when temperatures are high
and drought is possible is also important for preventing summer
stress burns.
You can also choose a more protected location for planting
rhododendron to prevent winter and summer injury. Adequate shade will protect
plants in summer and wind blocks will help them avoid damage in both winter and
summer. You can use burlap to block drying winter winds.
Prevent stress caused by standing water as well. Only plant
rhododendron shrubs in areas where the soil will drain well. Avoid boggy,
marshy areas.