I've just replanted a rhododendron and some other shrubs, as well as some summer bulbs ...

[MilchandCookies]

... but suddenly there's a few frosty nights forecast. I'm a complete novice in the garden (first house and garden), but thought early spring was the right time to move things. Now I'm panicked everything is going to die. Is it?

Rhododendron (not quite a metre high) has gone from a shady, wet part of the garden where it always looked a bit sad, to a much sunnier part. Next door have one right behind the fence where I've put ours, so I'm hoping it will like it there?

The other things I've moved are a cherry laurel, a small conifer-looking thing and something else (red stems, green leaves, seems to be "budding" now but no idea what it is).

And the bulbs I planted are dahlias and gladioli. I also have some irises and other bulbs I want to put in, but have now been scared off by the frost.

Please say I haven't killed the garden.

[florentina1]

What part of the country are you in Milchandcookies

[funnyperson]

I'm sure it will all be fine

[MilchandCookies]

I'm in northern Germany. But I'm grateful for the vote of confidence. My neighbours apparently think I'm crazy ...

[Ferguson]

If you have any material you can use as a thick layer of 'mulch' to cover the bulbs may help - as thick as possible.

Cover the shrubs with horticultural fleece, if you can get it, or old net curtains, a couple of layers.

[MilchandCookies]

Ok! I've done some mulch already but I'll put some more down.
And the curtains are to keep the shrubs warm, too? Do I water them lots? Is water from the tap ok? We've got very chalky water here.

[Ferguson]

I think chalky water would be a problem for rhododendron. You can get Aluminium sulphate and Ferrous sulphate (sulphate of iron) to mix in as 'tonic'.

Or maybe leave the water to stand for a few days before using it might help.

Better still, collect rainwater. They may not need much water, as won't be growing until weather warms up. Yes, curtains can keep the worst of low temperatures off shrubs.