by Sharon Brook

Created on: March 22, 2009

There is no such fixed time to plant Azaleas but should be preferably done in the early fall to get used to the place before winter. Azaleas offer the striking brilliant spring color admired by all. Normally, Azaleas come in two distinct categories, the Evergreen Azaleas and the Deciduous Azaleas. The evergreen one demonstrates two sets of leaves in each year by dropping one set in the fall and the next in the spring. This regular changing habit in them is the reason of calling them evergreen. Deciduous Azaleas loose their entire leaves in the fall and is used as a flowering shrub and offer striking pops of deep color in the spring season. They come with dazzling colors like bright yellow, stunning oranges and deep magentas over and above the gentle pastel color flowers.

Growing conditions are not very difficult. The climate and the soil should be supportive to the plants growth. Azaleas prefer reasonable warmth and moderately moist conditions. Some tough evergreens can survive even in colder atmosphere. As the plant is available in a number of varieties, it is better to select one suitable for your area and its climatic conditions. The most common isAzalea Indica of Asiatic source, which is some times called Chinese Azalea. It is a sturdy thriving plant with evergreen leaves producing red flowers with dark spots and is used as a window plant.

Azaleas like rich, acidic soil and grow properly with a thick insulation to retain moisture as well as to facilitate easy drainage. Azaleas will perform well with the addition of compost, leaf mold, or other amendments and the soil to be sandy or clay type.

The soil pH should be on the acidic side to promote azaleas like mountain laurel or blueberry. In limey soils, planting your azaleas should be done on raised soil beds to create the ideal drainage system as the growing platform. Azaleas should be provided with proper insulation with the leaves or other plants at the root of the plants to protect from extremities of temperature. With thick and rich insulation, you need little cultivation and weed control and the plants thrive to grow properly. Protect your azaleas from bright and direct sunlight as well as hot exposures. Let the morning sun and filtered sunlight to fall on the plants with proper arrangement of shades to make the plants remain satisfied. Choice of plants beside hedges and walls will be rewarding to safeguard young buds and from late winter climate. Moisture is an important factor to keep the azaleas healthy and strong.

Azaleas perform well in pots. You need a soil mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, potting soil and coarse sand to have an effective support platform. A large pot will provide the plant to grow the roots efficiently. You can bring them inside and put them at windows during winter and put them back once again in the spring.Planting should take care of the shallow root system of azaleas. The hole should be wider than the root bulb and the crown of the plant should go inside. It should not be too deep otherwise the crown would decompose killing the whole plant.

Pruning is not at all essential necessary for a plant selected appropriately for the location. Removing dead branches and cleaning are enough for maintenance. Azaleas are not susceptible to pest problems normally. Soil pH, over watering and poor drainage may give rise to some problems.

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