Sunny plantings generally need more water than shaded plantings, which don't dry out as fast. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep soil temperatures from fluctuating. Check the soil around your azalea by hand, and water when it's dry to the touch. Water deeply and thoroughly, so each plant gets water equal to about 1 inch of rain per week in summer. Water slowly, so the water gets absorbed into the root area instead of running off.
Avoid overwatering azaleas; soggy soil promotes root disease. When possible, use drip irrigation or water the soil around the plant rather than watering its leaves. Water left on plant leaves often encourages fungal diseases. Water early in the day, so the sun can dry leaves when they do get wet. Regular all-purpose fertilizers can fall short in providing azaleas with the special nutrients they need. This special blend of nutrients includes added sulfur to help keep soil pH in the optimal zone as it feeds, plus it provides azaleas with other extras, including calcium, iron and magnesium, to help prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Fertilize established azaleas in early spring and again 12 to 16 weeks later, and you'll provide the nutrients they need for the year.
Broadcast the fertilizer over the area under your shrubs and out about 6 inches past the branch tips; then water the entire area well. Shallow roots are sensitive to overfertilizing, so follow label instructions, and don't overdo it. Azaleas are prone to insects and diseases, such as mites, scale, lace bugs, and powdery mildew.
Visible signs of damage can be white spots on leaves or thinning branches with white spots. Sevin Sulfur Dust starts killing immediately upon contact and will not harm azaleas. People and pets may enter the area once dust has settled. Apply a light dusting frequently to keep your azaleas healthy and free from insect and disease damage. Many azaleas do well with little or no pruning, but they tolerate pruning well, too.
As with all flowering trees and shrubs, pruning done at the wrong time of year can inadvertently leave you bloomless the next season. And, the width of an azalea typically corresponds to its height. The rest of this article will discuss the sizes and types of azaleas, how to grow azaleas, and issues surrounding their toxicity.
Azaleas vary significantly in size with dwarf varieties growing to heights of about 1 foot 0. On the other end of the spectrum, large types can grow to as much as 12 feet 3. Most evergreen varieties originated in Japan, while native North American species are all deciduous. Hybrid azaleas have been around for centuries, and the Azalea Society of America reported that almost 10, varieties are currently cataloged.
Popular varieties of azaleas include:. Growing and caring for azaleas is easy. However, to keep your azaleas healthy, you need to select a proper location for planting. Next, you will need to prepare the soil and follow appropriate planting procedures. Additionally, azaleas require the appropriate use of mulch and fertilizer. And eventually, they might require pruning. Azaleas prefer cool locations with partial shade.
Additionally, they typically require moist woodland soil. However, there are exceptions as some varieties flourish in excessively damp areas while others do better in dry soil. Azaleas love morning sun and afternoon shade.
So, keep that in mind when selecting a location for planting. Generally speaking, azaleas that bloom during the summer months require more shade than plants that bloom in the springtime.
Additionally, always plant azaleas in a location offering protection from the wind. Fences and other barriers provide excellent protection as do taller evergreen trees and shrubs. Likewise, do not plant them next to shallow-rooted trees like ash, elm, or maple.
It would take a whole book to understand this wide world! You may be interested in joining the American Rhododendron Society , which runs a database with information on more than 2, rhododendrons and azaleas.
On an annual basis, the society selects a number of rhododendrons to be awarded the Rhododendron of the Year designation, highlighting the best-performing plants for different regions. The glittering leaves of the rhododendrons Balance and vibrate in the cool air; While in the sky above them White clouds chase each other.
Could I have pruned them incorrectly? Should I snip them off sometime? I recently planted a rhododendron and it was thriving for a while, now it is brown curled up leaves, have had some heavy rain in the recent past, and then some very hot days - Eastern NC, zone 8 A - how do I know if it not enough water or too much. I have a rhododendron plant for 3 years. It was flowering when I bought it but now there are no flowers. Do I plant to another area? Thank you.
Sometimes plants in nurseries are forced into bloom so that they sell. When they are transplanted to a new location in natural conditions not a nursery they need some time to settle in, but it does not hurt to double check your conditions. Rhododendrons have few requirements but these few must be provided:.
Perhaps you should do a soil test. This would reveal nutrient deficiencies, too. Does your plant stand in a puddle when it rains? If so, the soil is not draining; you need to amend it—mix in lots of organic matter. They prefer dappled sunlight or north or east locations. Some would say that a 3-year-old plant is still settling in and—if conditions above are right—it will begin to bloom in the next year or so.
I have about 5 rhododendrons planted on the south side of our house in zone 4. There are trees that provide partial shade, and the plants are 5 years old. They bloom every spring, but there are few to no leaves on the branches so they look dead when not blooming. Is there a way to encourage leaf growth? I have a rhodey for 3 years. It doesn't die it just sits there not growing. I've given it miracle grow and doesn't do anything. Any thoughts? There are several reasons why your rhododendron is not blooming.
Wrong variety for climate. Buds do not set or get frost-nipped or destroyed by cold, drying winds. I have several plants grown in containers, but one seems to have a problem with leaf curl and bud issues. Can anybody help? Hi Cliff, Both of the issues you have described can be related to the plant not receiving enough water. Despite watering them all the same, that particular plant could use a little more frequent watering most likely.
We hope this helps! We just received a gift of a yellow rhododendron in a 3-gal. We have other, established rhodys n the partial shade. Where should this new one go? We are thinking of near a rock wall in a partially shady area, in a northwest location. We are in Zone 3, in the mountains. We have a plant that a deer ate on last year. Plant has 3 flowers this year. When is appropriate time to trim the part that is dead? I have 4 large mature Rhododendrons around my front porch, 3 of which are covered with blooms but the 4th is covered with flower buds that do not open.
This happens every year. When shopping for evergreen azaleas, read the information tags carefully to see how big the plant will get. For instance, 'Joseph Hill' grows about a foot tall, while 'Flame Creeper' grows just 2 to 3 feet in height, making both a great ground cover. However, the white-blooming sweet azalea can reach heights of 20 feet. For something in between, look for Kurumes, which grow between 3 and 5 feet tall. While some varieties, especially deciduous types, do well in full sun, most azaleas prefer a less sunny environment.
If you do plant in full sun, expect to grow more compact plants with a lot of blooms. However, those blooms don't usually last as long as azalea plants in shade. According to the Azalea Society of America , the soil should be slightly acidic with a pH between 5. If planting near existing trees, look for oak, pine and holly trees, which also grow in slightly acidic soil.
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