Azaleas at the Farm
I love azaleas. 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 farm erupt with glorious color.
Azaleas can thrive in a wide variety of growing conditions, which makes them useful in so many different landscapes. They are popularly referred to as the “royalty of the garden” - long adored for their brightly colored flowers and evergreen foliage. Plant enthusiasts have selectively bred azaleas for years, producing thousands of cultivars.
Enjoy these photos of my cheerful azalea garden, which is blooming spectacularly right now. What azaleas are growing in your garden? Let me know in the comments section below.
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- My azalea collection is in a lightly wooded area, where they get filtered sunlight through the day.
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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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- 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.
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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. These bold pink azalea blossoms are hose-in-hose and contain 10-petals each.
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- This bloom has five 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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- 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.
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- 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 is 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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- Azaleas have short root systems, so they can easily be transplanted in early spring or early fall. Be careful not to plant too deep and water thoroughly after transplanting.
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- Once the plants establish their roots, scatter a handful of slow release organic fertilizer near each plant once in the spring and again in the fall.
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- And never eat azaleas. Like its cousin the rhododendron, the azalea is a toxic plant, and all parts of the plant are poisonous, including the honey from the flowers.
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- Although azaleas are resistant to many pests and diseases, they are susceptible to some problems, including bark scale, petal blight, powdery mildew and a leaf disease called azalea gall.
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- Many factors influence the quantity of azalea blooms. If an azalea fails to bloom, it could be lack of moisture during late spring and summer; less than three hours of sun per day; or, poor plant nutrition, which could reduce the number of buds.
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- Prune azaleas after they bloom to remove tall, lanky growth or vigorous suckers that detract from the overall form and shape of the plant.
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- They benefit greatly from a few inches of acidic mulch applied around the base to protect its roots and help conserve moisture.
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- These plants are so stunning in any part of the landscape.
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- I just love how the rich bold colors look against the green foliage. I am so proud of this garden – its beautiful display gets better every year.
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