Q.When is the best time of year to plant a recently purchased Andromeda? How much direct sun is best?
I purchased an Andromeda in mid July. It is in the original pot 2 1/2 or 3 gallon pot. I purchased it from a garden nursery in MA and it had a lot of the reddish leaves on it. I placed it in my yard in an area that did not get direct sunlight in the morning, but received some direct late afternoon sun. After a few weeks I transferred the plant to the opposite side of the yard where it received morning sunshine and late afternoon sun. Most of the red leaves are gone. I water it frequently because one of the advisors at the nursery told me that when a plant is in the pot it requires more water. The roots have no place to stretch for water as it would do when it was planted in soil. I’ve had the shrub for only 4 to 6 weeks, and can see that it has grown significantly. Please advise how much sun is right for an Andromeda? I want to plant it soon.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
They need part sun to full shade. So morning sun would be ideal, however, not both morning and afternoon. It also needs acidic, organic rich soil. Incorporate some compost if you don't have that, and peat moss will help the acidity. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm
