Azaleas make a pop pick for landscaping due to their beautiful blooms and thick unripe leafy foliation . These shrubs are verysimilar to rhododendronsand fall under the Rhododendron genus . With evergreen plant and deciduous varieties , you may enjoy the showyflowers in the springand then the foliage year - round . It ’s also a great background for home gardens , showcasing the other blooms against the azalea greenery throughout the season !

If you want to include azaleas in your garden this year , you’re able to do a few affair to avail these works prosper . Check out this list of hint to set you up for success !

1. Find a Good Location

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Give your azalea the unspoilt opportunity to flourish by setting it in a in force location from the start . East or north - face provide ideal light weather condition as these flower shrubs enjoydappled sunlightor morning sun with good afternoon shadiness . The heat from the afternoon sun can scorch the efflorescence so three to six hour of direct good morning sun is optimum .   Protection from secure flatus is also important , whether that ’s by other plant , fences , or construction .

you’re able to also opt togrow azaleas in potsand set them on your patio or around the garden if you do not have the space ! Choose a skunk that is 2 feet wide-eyed by 2 feet deep to provide sizeable space for your azalea to mature .

Harvesting sage from the herb garden

Pro Tip : Avoid planting azalea in locations with short drainage . If planting in a container , see your plants family has drainage holes .

2. Prepare the Soil

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Soil care and prep are necessary to make those sizeable and beautiful azaleas right at home ! The frail ascendant of azaleas requirewell - drain ground , to ensure the water does not pool and causeroot rot . Overlycompact soilmakes it hard for the plant to get nutrients and water , making it difficult for their tender ascendent to pervade the ground . With this case of filth verify to either undo up ( till ) or substitute it with young grease prior to planting your bush . Use a good quality loamy surface soil over heavy Lucius DuBignon Clay or compacted soil .

Azaleas necessitate plenty of organic matter and a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 to aid absorb nutrient like iron , nitrogen , and atomic number 16 from the ground .

Elephant ears with stunning large foliage

3. Protect With Mulch

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A great way to facilitate protect azalea shrubs iswith mulch . Not only does this keep weeds at bay laurel , but it also help maintain the temperature of the soil and help with water holding . Organic mulch like leaf or pine tree straw oeuvre well but be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the primary stem of the bush to avoid fore rot , potential disease , and pests due to the excess wet .

4. Fertilizer Use

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Once you have an established azalea , they are generally downhearted maintenance , getting adequate nutrients from the constitutive matter in the soil . Due to the delicate nature of the azalea roots , fertilizer is not typically necessary for optimal health . However , using fertilizermay be necessary when you want to increase the increase pace or notice nutrient deficiency through scrawny growth , yellow leaves , or early foliage drop for instance .

Pro Tip : A grunge test is a dandy elbow room to mold the pH level and any alimental deficiencies , helping to make up one’s mind if fertilizer is necessary .

Red bleeding heart flowers

5. Water Requirements

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Azaleas have shallow root systems , need regular wateringto keep them moist but not soggy . To determine if your azalea needs more water , employ your fingerbreadth to check the soil . If the top 2 inches is ironic , water the soil deeply about 6 to 8 inches down . Watering at the base of the plant or else of from above is secure to aid avoid wetting the foliage , as this can provide your azalea susceptible to disease . A great principle to follow is to ply 1 inch of body of water per hebdomad during the growing season in natural spring .

6. Pruning

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azalea are wonderful low - criminal maintenance flora andrequire very little pruning . If you wish to work your bush , apply a proficiency shout " cutting . " This is the process of cutting arm back to the independent trunk or ramification . The best time to do this is about six weeks after blooming occurs which is typically in early to late spring . This proficiency also work out for the remotion of dead or pathologic woodwind instrument .

Renewal pruning is another understanding nurseryman may settle to cut azalea . This is the cognitive operation of remove old growth to create more abundant growth the next year . Though it sacrifices this season ’s blooms , the new growth will follow back firm the next season .

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The technique to utilize for renewal pruning is " head . " slue back branches to about 6 to 12 inch above the earth before the new spring increase appears . Prune the new shoot hint once they are 6 to 12 column inch in length to encourage fullness . Provide plenty of water after a severe refilling pruning to help promote new growth .

Show Off Those Azaleas!

Do you have azalea in your garden ? Share your favorite tutelage gratuity in the comment segment below !

Azalea garden

Gardener testing soil

Leaf Mulch In A Garden

chemical fertilizer

watering can outside

Kurume Azalea