The azalea can be an evergreen or a deciduous bush depending on the variety being grow . It is native to North America and regions in China . Azaleas belong to the same group of flower as rhododendron . They grow 2 to 15 foundation high and 4 to 10 feet wide . The flowers of azalea come in a wide variety of people of color from white , orangish , pink , flushed , Bourgogne and shades of purple . They are hardy in Zones 4 through 10 and bloom from springiness into other summer .
How to Plant an Azalea
Step 1
wrench over the soil in the region you want to plant your azalea to a depth of 5 to 6 inch . Azaleas love soil which is rich in constitutional subject . If the soil is sandlike or clay - based , you will call for to amend the stain . For clay soils , the University of Michigan suggest work into the grease a motley of 50 percent footing pine barque , or rotted leaves , 25 percent sand and 25 percent dirt . If the territory is sandy , wreak in a mixture of 50 percent soil and 50 pct organic material .
Step 2
Dig a jam twice the width but no deeply than planting receptacle . Fill the hole midway up with piddle and allow drainage . Remove the azalea from its pot by turn the can upside down and hit the brim of the pile with a trowel until the stool slides off . Remove the azalea from the slew lightly and hold it by the bottom of the rootball . If the roots come out bound , utilise a tongue to break up and loose the roots every 2 to 3 inches around the intact stem ball , from top to bottom . Also , sever any matted roots from the bottom of the rootball .
Step 3
occupy the hole halfway dirt . Place the azalea into the hole . The foundation of the stem turn should be 1 to 2 inch higher than the surrounding topsoil . impart or remove dirt so that the root - ball is sitting firmly on the soil . adapt the azalea in the jam so it is sitting straight and level .
Step 4
take up the hole with dirt , firming the soil around the azalea as you go . irrigate the azalea until it ’s well moistened . The Sunset Plant Finder commend placing mulch around azaleas . disseminate 2 to 4 column inch of pine bark , husk , or any other organic mulch around the azalea to a diam of roughly 12 to 16 in . Keep the mulch at least 2 inch away from the stem .
Tip
Sunset Plant Finder suggests an idealistic fix for arise an azalea is in filtered shade , such as under marvelous Tree . Azaleas are surface affluent , therefore it ’s good not to cultivate around them otherwise you’re able to disturb the roots . azalea grow comfortably in soils which lean towards being acidic . The University of Michigan recommends a soil pH of 5.0 to 5.5 for growing azalea .
