Growing Azaleas

Azaleas are some of the most beautiful and popular of all plants; however, many people unnecessarily feel they are difficult to grow and care for. In order to grow Azaleas that thrive and flourish it is important to understand a few basic facts regarding these gorgeous plants.
First, it is imperative to understand that Azaleas can be either deciduous or evergreen. This means that Azalea plants which are evergreen will retain their foliage throughout the year while deciduous Azalea plants will shed their leaves during the fall. Evergreen Azaleas tend to bloom later in spring than deciduous Azaleas; which bloom in early spring, revealing brilliant yellow and orange colored blossoms.
If you want to propagate your deciduous Azaleas you will need to collect the seeds are shed during the fall and then sow them on top of moist peat. In order for the seeds to sprout the peat will need to be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Like most other plants Azaleas will need to be prune but it is critical to make sure you do it at the right time of the year. The best time of the year to handle this gardening chore for Azaleas is in the spring after they have bloomed. If you wait too late to prune your Azalea plant you could interfere with the number of blooms you’ll have next year so make sure you do it right after your plant has finished blooming.

You may also wish to pinch off some of the blooms; which will keep the plants from producing a lot of extraneous seeds. That is unless, of course, you plant to collect the seeds for propagation purposes.
When setting out new Azalea plants it is important to consider the best location. Azaleas tend to be somewhat picky about their locations. There are numerous different types and varieties of Azaleas. Some of them are geared better toward warmer climates and will simply not do well in cooler climates. When choosing new plants, always make sure you select a variety that is suited to your area.

Finally, don’t forget to fertilize your Azaleas; however, remember that Azaleas are not like most other plants. A quick release fertilizer should not be used as it may work too fast and end up killing your Azalea. Instead, try using something that works slow and mild. Compost is an excellent choice.

With a little planning and knowledge you will soon have Azaleas that are the envy of the neighborhood.

 
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