Rhododendron 'Cherry Drops' (EA)

Grow in light dappled shade, in a site sheltered from cold, dry winds and late frosts, in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil, preferably between pH4.5 and pH5.5; for more advice, see rhododendron cultivation

Pruning group 1 (little or no pruning of trees and shrubs) or pruning group 8 (early-flowering evergreen shrubs)

Propagate by heeled semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, by layering in autumn, or by grafting in late winter or late summer

May be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron whiteflies, rhododendron leafhopper, rhododendron lacebugs, scale insects, caterpillars, and aphids

May be susceptible to rhododendron powdery mildews, rhododendron bud blast, rhododendron petal blight, honey fungus, fungal leaf spots, rust diseases, silver leaf, Phytophthora root rots, and, if soil is not sufficiently acidic, lime-induced chlorosis; for more advice, see Rhododendron diseases