Azalea

Plant Name:               Azalea

Technical name:         Rhododendrons

Plant Family / Type:    Ericaceae (Heath family) related to Rhododendrons /                                  Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Preferred location:      Partial Sun (cooled by partial shade)                                  Take more sun exposure if the soil is kept constantly moist                                  Also work in area receives morning sun with shade after 1 pm

Mature height:            3’  –  6’  (1m  - 1.8m)

Mature Width:             3’  –  6’

Growth Rate / Habit:    Upright rounded

Flower / Foliage: ·    Yellow ball-like trusses of funnel-shaped flowers – mid-Spring ·    Bright green leaves

Preferred soil: ·    Acidic soil (ph 5.5) ·    Well-drained soil.  A good tactic for providing the necessary drainage is planting azaleas in raised garden beds ·    Azaleas like soil that is kept evenly moist but not soggy. Infrequent deep soakings are more beneficial than frequent sprinkles with the hose ·    Shady companion is Red Oak tree

Pruning and Maintenance: ·    Time  –  Spring, immediately after flowering (June or July) so the plant can produce new buds in the Summer (that will bloom next Spring) ·    Deadhead faded blooms - use your thumb and forefinger to pinch out the dead flowers, taking care not to disturb the tender buds that are growing near the base of the old flower (beginning of July). These buds are the flowers for next season ·    Prune only if necessary - dead or injured branches, which could cause disease and insect problems in the future. Then prune back tall, gangly limbs shooting out of the top of the bush. This will promote a more attractive, compact shape ·    When pruning azaleas, you do not need to worry about cutting back to a connecting branch.  Azaleas will grow new branches from right below wherever you cut ·    Azaleas need little pruning, except to keep them from growing too large ·    If pruning to remove height, cut the longest branches back in stages (2-3 per year) to minimize shock—especially with older plants ·    Cut long branches back to the height of a side branch that's growing in the desired direction ·    Shearing encourages dense growth at the branch tips and creates a more formal appearance ·     Azaleas have shallow root systems, so do not dig around the plant once it has been planted ·    Keep the area clean and free of any damaged leaves

Shaping: ·    To rejuvenate the plant because it is spindly or sparse, locate 3-5 of the largest branches on the azalea bush.  Cut these branches back by a third to a half.  Trim all of the other branches on the plant as though you were shaping the plant

Fertilize ·    A good time to fertilize is right after they have finished blooming