Out
On A Limb / May 2007
A Splendid Shrub
 Azaleas in a Parkersburg backyard
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Exuberantly blooming azaleas are the town criers of spring, appearing in riotous color from the highest hills to the heart of town. Though first welcomed for brightening winter’s gray landscape, azaleas are shrubs for all seasons. After their glorious flowering, many retain attractive, deep green foliage at least through summer. Some are evergreen and some deciduous azaleas add bright fall color before their leaves drop. From the showy apricot and orange of Flame azaleas to the deep pink of ‘Coral Bells’ and from crimson ‘Charles Dickens’ to the pure white of ‘Snow’, spectacularly colored flower masses keep azaleas at the top of gardening favorites.
Azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron.
The major differences between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron family is size and flower growth. Rhododendrons grow taller and their flowers grow in clusters, while most azaleas are smaller and have many stems but only one flower per stem.
True rhododendrons are usually bell shaped and evergreen and most azalea flowers are funnel-form and deciduous (though there are numerous evergreen residential selections). Plant enthusiasts have produced over 10,000 different cultivars, propagated by cuttings and seeds.
Azaleas enhance the landscape as garden focal points, as a background for lower plantings, in mass borders and with complementary colors. Their open, carefree growing habits are well suited to contemporary informal landscaping.
Large, bold azaleas are dramatic backgrounds for annuals and perennials. Dwarf and low-growing azaleas make charming accents, adding rhythm and color, to foreground plantings. For a stunning color display, plant an entire bed of azaleas or group them, rather than planting individually.
 Red Azaleas
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Trying to select just the right azalea from a garden centers is like trying to choose one chocolate from a chocolatier. Before deciding, consider the azalea’s size at maturity, the flower color and style, the flowering period, (the new Encore series azaleas bloom twice) and the site conditions. Bloom times vary within each group depending on the variety, weather, planting zone and microclimate.
Good site selection and proper planting will produce vigorous plants and beautiful flowers with little care.
Azaleas have very specific requirements including well-drained, acid soil, ample moisture during growing season; and protection from winter winds and early morning winter sun. What they like best is sheltered sites with dappled sun in the summer and little or no morning sun in winter. They prefer sites protected by windbreaks, fences, or evergreens and shouldn’t be planted under eaves or at the corners of buildings where winds are stronger. Moderate, filtered shade with acidic soil is ideal, so they’re happy under pine trees. But, under shallow-rooted trees like maple, ash and elm, azaleas can’t compete for moisture and nutrients. Under dense shade, flowers may be very small; stems, spindly. In full sun, delicate colors will bleach quickly even though plants may grow well.
Container azaleas are often root bound. If roots encircle the root ball, take a sharp butcher knife, and make three side cuts, about a fourth inch deep, from top to bottom of the soil mass. Such slicing encourage roots to spread and allows water to penetrate the root ball.
 Flame Azaleas
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Container-grown azaleas can be planted any time of year, including fall, which allows them to get established before hot weather, but spring planting gives gardeners the immediate satisfaction of seeing blooms.
With their shallow roots, azaleas shouldn’t be planted deeper than their original container. The root ball can even be set two inches higher than surrounding soil to allow for settling.
Soak the soil immediately after planting and gently tamp around the root ball.
Although their sensitive root systems can dry out rapidly when no moisture is available, azaleas hate having their feet stay wet. A two inch layer of mulch or pine needles helps maintain uniform moisture, and eliminates water-thieving weeds.
Good drainage keeps roots from drowning. Water in a nearby six- inch hole should drain in four hours or a raised bed may be indicated.
Azaleas generally thrive in a soil pH between 4.5 and 6.0, which is determined by a soil test. In areas with heavy clay or sand, replacing poor soils in the entire area with quality topsoil. Just adding amendments to individual planting holes impedes water movement.
New plants don’t need fertilizing, though some gardeners put down a very light application of acid-loving-plant formulation before applying mulch, to be hospitable. Avoid fertilizing after July 1. Late summer fertilization may force out tender fall growth that will be killed by winter cold.
Plant early and mid season azaleas in different beds so the spent blooms of early flowers won’t detract from the fresh new blooms of mid-season plants.
For the ultimate azalea experience, visit the azalea collection of the U.S. National Arboretum, where thousands of azaleas cover the flanks of Mount Hamilton in a blaze of color. PL
For more information about the US National Arboretum, visit usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/azalea.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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