The drooping of the leaves on your rhododendron is most likely not caused by an insect or disease. This time of year, when the temperatures drop and it is dry and windy, the leaves will begin to curl and start to droop. It is the plant’s way of reducing water loss from the leaves. Some rhododendrons seem to be more prone to this problem than others, but once the weather warms in the spring the rhododendron should recover.

If your rhododendron continues to have this problem once the weather changes or you find you have other questions, please feel free to contact us again or your local Extension office. For more information on rhododendrons, check out the following Oregon State University publication: Give Rhododendron and Azaleas an Annual Check-up Each Spring.