Planting More Than 100 Azaleas

May 22, 2024

Developing any garden takes time, planning, and lots of patience.

Three years ago, I decided to create an azalea border along one side of the carriage road between my Summer House and my stable. I wanted to plant lots of colorful azaleas - a variety of unique specimens in shades of pink, orange, crimson, and white. I already have many azaleas growing and flourishing in this area, but I wanted to expand the collection. First, we planted about 170 azaleas on one side of the carriage road, and then another 200 on the other side. Every year, my gardeners and I watch how the plants grow and add more where needed. This week, we're planting another 104!

Enjoy these photos.

: 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. This week, we’re planting a large selection of azaleas where they get lots of filtered sunlight throughout the day.

: 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. Azalea petal shapes range from narrow to triangular to overlapping rounded petals. They can also be flat, wavy, or ruffled.

: When I expanded the azalea garden, I added a variety of different azaleas and arranged them by color.

: The first step is to choose the locations for planting. I strategically place each specimen – keeping like colors together and always keeping the plant’s mature size in mind.

: When buying azaleas, always select plants that are sturdy, well-branched, and free of insect damage or diseases. And, avoid plants with weak, spindling growth and poor root systems. Azaleas are generally healthy, easy to grow plants. Some azaleas bloom as early as March, but most bloom in April and May with blossoms lasting several weeks.

: It’s also important to keep azaleas where they can be protected from midday and winter sun to prevent leaves from drying out and burning.

: All our azaleas this year came from White’s Nursery in Germantown, Maryland. White’s Nursery specializes in azaleas as well as rhododendrons. It has more than 350 varieties of evergreen azaleas such as Glenn Dale, Bowie Mill, Satsuki, Robin Hill, and many others. In addition, there is a wide selection of deciduous and native azaleas, and some fragrant varieties.

: Chhiring starts by digging the hole at least twice the size of the plant. Azaleas thrive in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter.

: Next, he adds a generous handful of good fertilizer formulated for new plants.

: Scarifying stimulates root growth. Essentially, one breaks up small portions of the root ball to loosen the roots a bit and create some beneficial injuries. This helps the plant become established more quickly in its new environment.

: Next, the plant is placed into the hole and then checked to be sure it is at the right depth and backfilled.

: The length of azalea leaves ranges from as little as a quarter-inch to more than six inches. Leaves of most azaleas are solid green, with a roughly long football-shape.

: There are still many more azaleas to get into the ground, but I am so pleased with this grouping. As plants are added, there will be less lawn to maintain. Some of the varieties include ‘Sunrise,’ ‘Cherry Red,’ ‘Phil Louer,’ and ‘Mary Lou Kehr.’

: Azaleas are generally healthy, easy to grow plants. Some azaleas bloom as early as March, but most bloom in April and May with blossoms lasting several weeks. The garden is full of color right now!

: Some azaleas, including native types, can reach towering heights of 20 feet or more. Dwarf azaleas grow two to three feet tall, and many garden azaleas stay four to six feet in height with as wide a spread.