Flowering Azaleas at My Farm
My azaleas are putting on quite a show at my Bedford, New York farm - I hope you saw some of my photos on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48.
Of all the shrubs that flower in spring, azaleas and tree peonies provide some of the most brilliant displays. I have them planted together in a garden just outside my Summer House, and when they bloom this time of year, they make one corner of my property erupt with spectacular color. I am also developing a new garden of azaleas by a pond at the back of one of my hay fields not far from my grove of weeping willows. Azaleas can thrive in a wide variety of growing conditions, which makes them so useful in many different landscapes. They are popularly referred to as the “royalty of the garden” - long adorned for their brightly colored flowers and evergreen foliage. Plant enthusiasts have selectively bred azaleas for years, producing thousands of different cultivars.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Every year around this time, I love walking up the carriage road near my Summer House to see the beautiful blooming azaleas at the corner.
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- Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the Ericaceae family, which includes blueberries and mountain laurel. They are also all rhododendrons and members of the genus Rhododendron.
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- Two weeks ago, these azaleas were just beginning to flower. Here you can see a tinge of pink from the developing buds.
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- And this week, the same shrubs are just bursting with bright, bold shades of pink.
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- Azaleas are generally healthy, easy to grow plants. Some azaleas bloom as early as March, but most bloom in May with blossoms lasting several weeks.
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- These azaleas share a large bed with my tree peonies. On the right, you can see a couple of the peonies also blooming – I will share more pictures of the peony gardens in upcoming blogs.
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- Azaleas are native to several continents including Asia, Europe, and North America. These plants can live for many years, and they continue to grow their entire lives.
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- The tube-shaped base of the flower contains a stamen that protrudes from the center. The leaves are often evergreen with wooly undersides.
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- Azalea petal shapes vary greatly. They range from narrow to triangular to overlapping rounded petals. They can also be flat, wavy or ruffled.
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- Azalea flowers can be single, hose-in-hose, double or double hose-in-hose, depending on the number of petals.
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- Many azaleas have two to three-inch flowers and range in a variety of colors from pink to white to purple, red, orange and yellow.
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- Azalea blooms produce a light, floral scent. I love the varying shades of light and dark pink in this garden.
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- Plant height ranges from about three to six feet for most varieties, but rare plants can range from under one foot to well over 15-feet tall.
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- The best time to shop for azaleas is when they are in bloom so you can see their flower colors and forms. Buy plants that are sturdy, well-branched and free of insect damage or diseases. And, avoid plants with weak, spindling growth and poor root systems.
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- When selecting a location for planting, be sure you know the mature size of the plants so they can be grouped accordingly in the landscape – tall plants in the background and short plants in the foreground.
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- Azaleas thrive in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal.
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- Keep azaleas where they can be protected from midday and winter sun to prevent leaves from drying out and burning.
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- Once the plants establish their roots, scatter a handful of slow release organic fertilizer near each plant. Do this once in the early spring and again in the fall.
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- Some of these azaleas have been here for several years, but I am always adding more to my collection.
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- At my pond located in one corner of a hay field, I decided to grow another garden of azaleas. My goal is to fill this area with shades of yellow and orange.
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- In general, most azaleas prefer partial sun or filtered shade beneath tall trees. This location offers a wonderful environment for these plants – I am excited to see them flourish.
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- These yellow azaleas, or honeysuckle azaleas, are only a couple feet tall, but they will grow and continue to flower beautifully.
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- These flowers are about two inches in diameter, bright yellow, and perfumed. These azaleas also grow in trusses of five to sometimes 25 altogether.
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- Here is a deep orange colored azalea – so pretty against the bold green of its foliage.
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- From a distance, these azaleas already add such gorgeous color to the landscape.
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- This azalea garden is still a very young work in progress, but I am excited to see it develop – I know these plants will be so happy here. What azaleas are blooming in your garden? Share your comments with me below.
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