Plant in moist, lime free, well-drained soil

This group of plants, including rhododendrons and camellias, must have an acid soil. The majority of amateur soil testing kits are very simple and rely on colour rather than a numerical scale. Acid soils turn a solution yellow-orange, neutral turn it green and alkaline, dark green. You can also take a guess at your soil's pH.  If you have soft water in your area, then it is mostil likely acid soil. If in doubt, you can plant into a planter with lime-free soil.

Plant anytime from autumn until spring in lime-free (or in other words acid) well-drained soil.  In areas where the soil freezes, plant in spring once the soil thaws. Water the plant thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole 1-1/2 times wider and a little deeper than the root ball. Then water the hole and allow it to drain. Holding the stems between your fingers, tip the plant out of its pot.

Mix the removed soil with some well-rotted compost, and add some more compost to the bottom of the planting hole. If the roots are coiled around the sides of the pot, tease them out carefully.

Place the plant in the hole with its crown at the correct depth, which is usually the same as it was in its pot. Gradually backfill around the plant with the mix of soil and compost, firming gently as you go.