Azaleas: Care Tips To Keep Them Thriving
Stunning Spring Blooms
Azaleas are beautiful shrubs that many gardeners and homeowners love. These shrubs are native to East Asia and are best known for their vibrant spring blooms in shades of pink, red, white, purple, orange, and more. Read on to learn more about these popular shrubs and get growing tips to keep your azaleas healthy and thriving.
About Azaleas
- Azaleas are evergreen shrubs with a mounding, rounded habit.
- Mature height can range from 2'-8', depending on variety.
- Flowers typically bloom in the spring, although timing can vary by variety. Encore® Azalea varieties are known for their multi-season, prolific blooms.
- Azaleas are available in many different colors including white, pink, salmon, purple, and red.
- They’re perfect as accents, in containers, along borders, in shady beds or woodland gardens, or even as a privacy hedge or foundation planting.
- Deer resistant.
Encore® Azaleas
Photo credit: Encore Azalea
Care Tips
- Light: Prefers filtered shade to morning sun.
- Soil: Requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH of 5 or 6) with additional organic matter such as peat, compost, and leaves.
- Water: Requires regular or moderate watering. Typically weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
- When to Plant: Plant azaleas in late winter, early spring, or in fall. Give each planting good soil for new roots by digging a wide hole—only as deep as the rootball—and partially filling the hole with an organic acid planting mix before planting.
- Feeding: For the best results, use an organic fertilizer, as it provides a slow and steady release of nutrients. To support overall growth, lush green foliage, and abundant blooms in acid-loving plants, choose a specially blended acidic fertilizer.
- Pruning: Pruning isn't necessary, but can be used to control height. Pruning or pinching back young azalea plants helps to promote bushy growth and is best after bloom season.
Encore® Azalea Autumn Embers®
By following these care tips, you can ensure that your azaleas remain healthy and beautiful for many years to come. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out, azaleas are a wonderful addition to your garden. Happy planting!
