10 Tips For Happy, Healthy Azaleas

I have a soft spot for azaleas. I can smell the light perfume of a 'George Lindley Taber' azala in my dreams. Over the years I have fallen in and out of love with azales.

Buy new azaleas in bloom to guarantee the right color. When in doubt, white is usually a safe bet.

To get the most impact, set out blocks or sweeps of the same selection of azaleas.

Southern Indian azaleas reach 8 to 10 feet tall and need to be planted at least 4 feet apart. Medium-size Kurumes grow 3 to 5 feet and they need a 30-inch spacing. Satsuki hybrids grow less than 3 feet high and are perfect for planting under low windows.

Azaleas perform best in areas with morning sun and light afternoon shade. Large beds beneath tall pines or wooded borders are perfect for them.

Azaleas need moist, acid, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. They won't thrive in heavy clay or nutrient-deficient sand. Limestone gravel used for drainage around your home can cause soil to be too alkaline.

Azaleas need regular water during their first two years and good drainage.

Planting azalea bushes in clay takes some preparation. Planting high gives the shrub drainage, but you need to water frequently.

Azaleas look best when allowed to grow to their natural mounded shape. If you have to prune hard every year, you probably have the wrong azalea for that location.

"Evergreen" doesn't mean "live forever" and azalea leaves don't have to be worried about turning yellow before maturity.

Azaleas are an accent in the garden, not a centerpiece. They add fragrance, an extended color palette and winter and summer interest. Landscape architect Ben Page recommends using native deciduous azalea in conjunction with evergreen ones.