How to Grow Azaleas Outdoors
Azaleas grow well outdoors and bloom during spring in a variety of environments as long the weather stays somewhat warm. Shrub-like azaleas require a bit of care and preparation to grow, but are not difficult to manage. Choosing azaleas that fit well with the garden climate makes them even lower-maintenance, like choosing southern varieties for gardens in the South and other varieties for gardens on the coasts or Midwest. Most types of azaleas grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5 or higher. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Gardening fork
- Soil pH testing strips
- Acidic powder (optional depending on soil conditions)
- Gardening gloves (optional)
- Water
- Acidic mulch
Instructions
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Prepare the soil. Azaleas need soil with good drainage and aeration. Loosen the soil with a gardening fork and mix in a lot of lighter soil to heavy clay soils. If possible, avoid choosing an area to grow azaleas that has heavy clay or compacted sandy soils. Plant azaleas in moist but not overly saturated soil.
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Test the soil pH before planting. The American Rhododendron Society recommends planting azaleas in soil with a pH of 5.5, which is more acidic than most plants prefer. If the soil pH is higher than 5.5, it must be lowered to make it more acidic. Many garden stores sell powders designed to lower soil pH, and natural acidic composts, like pine needle composts or mulches, also make soil more acidic.
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Plant the azaleas in holes that are about twice as large as their starter pots, but do not make the holes too deep. The American Rhododendron Society warns that planting an azalea's root ball too deep underground can kill the plant. If the plant's roots are dried out before planting, soak them in tepid water for a few minutes before planting. Fill in the area around the root ball with soil, but do not bury the root ball underneath a thick layer of soil. Space the plants out depending on the size of the azalea variety. Azaleas generally need at least a couple feet of space in between each plant.
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Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Pine needle or pine bark mulch are good choices for azaleas, and a layer of mulch over the top of the soil will keep weeds at bay. Apply a thinner layer of mulch around the trunk of the plant than the mulch covering the rest of the planting hole, because a slight slope will help force water toward the plant's roots.
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Water azaleas regularly, especially when they are young. Large and older azalea bushes are better at harvesting their own water from deep within the soil and may not need very frequent waterings except for during hot seasons. Young azaleas, however, need water every time the soil starts to feel dry a few inches beneath the surface. A young azalea's root ball can be dry even if its surrounding soil is damp, and a slow-dripping hose will help re-saturate it.
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Reapply mulch annually around the base of the plant, because old mulch decomposes and stops working to prevent weeds.
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Fertilize azaleas after they receive new mulch. When mulch decomposes, it takes nitrogen out of the soil. Azaleas benefit from a nitrogen-rich fertilizer about once a year.
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Prune dead flowers from azalea bushes, but do not prune the branches except for moderate trimmings if the plant starts taking up too much space.
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Tips & Warnings
Pick out azalea starter plants that grow well in the local climate. The American Rhododendron Society explains that deciduous and hybrid varieties of azaleas grow well in cold climates. This hardiness is due to the plants' ability to survive a frost once their leaves fall off for winter. Some hybrid azaleas grow well in hotter climates. Evergreen azaleas look nice with year-round foliage, and they grow best in warmer climates that do not freeze often or at all. Fall or early spring are good times to plant azaleas, depending on the variety.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Azalea image by fabiomarc from Fotolia.com
