If it's an evergreen with 4 to 8 inch long leaves, it's a standard rhody, I actually forget what standard rhodies are called, having hundreds, maybe just rhodies, and yah, down there they probly want shade. Azaleas can take more sun. Not rhodies. The leaves burn, and even if they don't, they mope. Up here in good soil, they sit in sun, but they'll burn even here. They like barkdust in their soil, but kept loose; arerated, because bark tends to pack all the air out as it compresses.
It should bloom, even in the shade, if it's healthy. Shallow roots, like mulch. Don't like clay much, but mixed in with more organic stuff ok. Oak leaves and compost good, moss. Acidic. Water more.
Tropical rhodies are rare and completely different, and maybe fussy, yet I'm surprised where they turn up, so I asked. Big in Berzerkeley, but of course we know it's DIFFERENT there. |
