Azalea is a part of the Rhododendron family, and is a very popular garden plant. Its brightly colored flowers will bring colour to almost any garden in spring.
The real difference between them is that Rhododendron is evergreen. Whereas Azalea is deciduous and thus sheds its leaves with the coming of autumn. It is also smaller than the average Rhododendron, generally spoken of as a bush, with smaller leaves and blooms.
The general height range for Azalea is between two and eight feet. The flowers exhibit a considerable range in colors, and you can find specimens with white, red, purple, gold, orange and lavender flowers. Those species of Azalea that are smaller in size are popular gifts when potted, and are usually given out on Mother's day and for Easter.
However, if you receive such a gift, remember that Azalea does best outdoors and that if you transplant it from the pot into the ground you will see the plant at its best.
Planting Azaleas
These plants can be propagated in a variety of ways. They can be grown from cuttings, or graftings, or even from seeds. However, it is not recommended that you start this plant from the seed as plants that are grown in this way can take between two to ten years before they first flower.
This, of course, depends upon the variety, but generally Azalea grown from seed takes at least two years to bloom. It is advised to buy the plants in bloom from a nursery or gardening store.
These plants, when bought this way, can be kept indoors as ornamental plants while the period of flowering lasts, and when this is over, they can then be transplanted into a flower bed or wherever in your garden you wish.
If you have an Azalea plant that you wish to transplant in this way, be advised that the best time to do that is early in spring or autumn. And remember that the smallest Azalea bushes transplant more successfully.
Azalea Care Instructions
Azalea care is not difficult, but a few tips can go a long way.
Like many similar plants, Azalea prefers acidic soil and grows best in partial or complete shade. This plant must never be exposed to the heat of the midday sun. the soil must be moist and well drained. Let me emphasize again that you must ensure that the soil is acidic. This plant will not tolerate alkaline soils. Enrich the soil with manure.
Azalea Care - Start with Soil
Should be 1/4 soil, 1/2 organic matter (peat moss, shredded oak leaves, cedar or pine bark) and 1/4 clean sand.
This is a good time to add a slow release fertilizer into the mix. This is a good mixture for all acid loving shrubs. By adding 3 inches of mulch around your shrubs twice a year their roots will be protected in Winter as well as Summer. In addition, you will be adding organic matter to the soil. Let me stress the better the soil the less fertilizer required.
Heavy clay soil
Can be remedied by raising your bed by 6 to 8 inches with the soil mixture mentioned above and plant your shade gardening plant. This will allow the shrub the required good drainage.
Should the leaves turn yellow and the veins stay green, chances are you'll need to add a little acid fertilizer to the soil. Over fertilizing is more of a problem than under fertilizing.
This wonderful shade loving plant comes in a variety colors as well as sizes from 8 to 80 inches tall, so look for the one to match your needs.
Watering is essential during dry spell.
Azalea Care - Location
Location is key to successfully culturing Azalea because this plants can be stunted, damaged or even killed by regular winds and direct sunlight.
As I mentioned earlier, protecting them from sunlight in the middle of the day is a crucial importance, else the leaves will dry or burn.
Generally speaking, though it is obvious, Azalea is best suited to northern climates. Plant them in low areas or in areas protected by buildings or hedges.
Pruning Azaleas
Pruning the plants, especially when they are young, will help to promote growth and to make them more bushy. However, you should do this only if you really want to. Though pruning the plants make them bushy, yet nevertheless any such procedure carries with it the risk of destroying the next year's blooms. If you choose to prune established plants, it is best done in early spring. Though, seriously speaking, it is best not done at all.
Winter protection
As must be obvious by now, Azalea is exceedingly sensitive to winds and cold, with some varieties even more sensitive to extreme colds than others. If you live in a severe northern climate, than you should make sure that particular variety is resistant to cold.
"The flower tips after blooming will increase the blooms the following year, making for a bushier shrub."
