Burnt Rhododendron Leaves: Environmental Leaf Scorch On Rhododendrons

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.