Azalea Plants
Some Key Information About Azalea Plants
Azalea plants are an evergreen shrub which flowers, most species offering one fantastic show of blooms each late spring. There is an up and coming species which was released in 1997, called the encore azalea, which flowers abundantly three times per year, and this is a feature that most garden hobbyists find irresistible. For the most part, azalea plants are hardy and easily cared for, and can be planted at any time during the warm season, even when in bloom, without risk of stunting or loss of flowering production. The blooms are also available in a wide range of pink to purple colors, and a few of the more rare species will even offer a red or blue hue. You will want to infuse your soil with enough acid to keep your azalea plants feeling well at home, and here are a few more tips about these precious shrubs.
The flowers on each of the azalea plants will differ one to the next, some giving long, tapered pedals and others giving puffy, cloudy, softer looking flowers. Some even dare to say that there are species of azalea flowers which resemble the lily in many ways, only clung to a bush and in much higher concentration than the small stalk plant flower. There are also azalea plants which are small and beautiful enough to be used for the art of bonsai, and these are a wonderful treat to see. Many people prune their flowering evergreen bushes each year, looking for a certain look and consistency, but most will find that their azalea plants do quite well untouched and on their own.
There is a mounding technique which is often used for planting azaleas in harsh or clay soils, and this seems to offer the azalea plants a much better chance of surviving just about anywhere. To add acid and nutrition to your plotting grounds, you might want to infuse them with natural organic materials such as small twigs and cut up oak leaves. Fertilizers and feeds can work also, but the azalea enjoys “dirty” dirt, so try to incorporate some of these elements into your garden area.
Azalea plants are not a full sun family, and most of them cannot tolerate more than 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Preferably, this sunbathing time should happen during the morning hours before the afternoon blaze has a chance to dry out and burn your shrub. Watering is also important, and you will want to keep the soil constantly moist without drowning or flooding the azalea plants. Soggy spots or standing water are a big problem, and you may need to rework your soil and reset your mound if you notice these conditions. After the azaleas are established, however, you will only need to water them under dry or drought-like conditions.