The Garden Post
April Plant of the Month: Azaleas
Mar
Azaleas are a southern garden staple for their elegant blooms and versatility. Evergreen or deciduous, shade or sun loving, large or dwarf; there exists an azalea for any spot in your garden. The two most popular types of azaleas are the traditional and reblooming varieties.
Traditional Azaleas
A favorite of southern gardens for generations. These evergreens prefer part to full shade and can vary in height from 1’ all the way to 10’ depending on variety. While they only bloom once a year in spring, they bloom profusely in shades of pink, purple or white. Traditional azaleas are also hardier than newer varieties, making them an excellent choice for areas with unpredictable temperatures. They are also heavy bloomers, making up for the fact that they only bloom once a year by blooming profusely in spring!
Traditional azaleas do best in well-draining soil with a pH of 4.5 – 6.0.
They enjoy periodic pruning to remove damaged limbs and to maintain overall shape/size, but should be pruned immediately after blooming has finished, before summer.
Fertilize in spring and fall with an acidic fertilizer like HollyTone.
Our Favorite Varieties
Deleware Valley - A crisp white blooming azalea that averages 3-4′ tall and wide at maturity.
Gumpo Pink - A compact azalea with profuse coral pink blooms, averages 1-2′ tall and 2-3′ wide at maturity.
George Tabor - Large light pink flowers with deep pink throats. Averages 4-5′ tall and 5-6′ wide at maturity.
Coral Bells - An explosion of salmon pink blooms in spring! Averages 3-4′ tall at maturity.
Reblooming
When it comes to reblooming azaleas, Encore is the most popular brand. As the name implies, reblooming azaleas bloom more than once per year.
Blooming an astounding 3-4 times per year beginning in spring, Encore Azaleas pack a punch despite their smaller size. These azaleas average 2’-6’ tall at maturity and do best in full sun (at least 6 hours per day). Encores bloom in various shades and combinations of purple, pink, red and white. Their smaller size makes them great choices for containers.
Encore azaleas prefer moist, well draining soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
Prune immediately after the first bloom of the year has ended and before they set bud for their next bloom.
Fertilize in spring and fall with an acidic fertilizer like HollyTone.
Our Favorite Varieties
Autumn Angel - Snowy white blooms, averages 2-3 ‘ tall and wide at maturity
Autumn Amethyst - Bright purple flowers, averages 3-4′ tall and wide at maturity
Autumn Embers - One of the most popular red blooming azaleas, averages 2-3′ tall at maturity
Autumn Starlite - Clear white flowers with stripes and dots of pink, like shooting stars! Averages 3-4′ tall and wide at maturity.