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Free Planting Guide - Sweet Azalea Shrub
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Native Sweet Azalea is perfect for either sun or partly shady spaces that get around three to six or more hours of morning sun per day and have moist but well-drained soil conditions. This shrub grows to fill a space to about 8-20 feet.
Sweet Azalea will provide a welcoming environment to birds, butterflies, and other important pollinators and wildlife. This plant also helps add texture and color to your late spring garden.
When planted in the ground, this plant will spread wider and grow taller, while also helping underground soil systems.
Meet Your Plants
Sweet Azalea
Rhododendron arborescens
- Grows to: 8-12 Ft
- Spread: 8-20 Ft
- Blooms: May-July
- Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil Moisture: Moist, Well-Drained
- Soil Description: Sand, Acidic, Rich Organic Material
- Attracts: Butterflies, Caterpillars, Native Bees, Bumblebees, Birds, Hummingbirds
How to Plant Your Native Plants
Instructions for Planting in the Ground
1. Dig a hole at least two times wider than your plant's root ball, but no deeper than the height of the root ball
- Azaleas and Rhododendron have shallow root systems and prefer to have some leg room to spread out. If planted too deep, the roots won't have the proper amount of moisture and airflow and the plant will stress and die.
- Plant 36 to 72 inches apart to allow room for spread.2.Loosen plants by gently massaging the sides of the container, then tipping upside down into your palm, being careful to not hold plants by their stems or disturb the root zone.
3. Cup the root mass in your hand and gently place it into the hole. Because container plants are usually grown in high organic soil mixes, we recommend adding organic matter to the backfill. Be sure to blend this into the backfill, using as much native soil as possible. Pat down soil around the plant base.
4. Add mulch to help retain moisture, taking care that the mulch does not touch plant stems, and water thoroughly. Two-three inches of mulch should be plenty - over-mulching can overwhelm the shallow root systems of Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
Instructions for Planting in Containers
This collection is not suitable for container planting.
Soil Suggestions
Plant azaleas in well-drained soil.
- Poorly-draining soils and wet conditions will leave azaleas susceptible to molds and fungi.
- In general, an inch of rain or irrigation per week is ideal for azaleas during the growing season.
- To discourage molds, apply water directly to the soil instead of overhead watering which may cause excess moisture on the foliage.•
Azaleas grow best in acidic soils with a pH of 5.0-5.5 and plenty of organic matter.
- Low cost testing kits are readily available at garden centers or online if you need to test your soil’s pH.
- To increase the acidity of soil, amend it with sulfur or iron sulfate.
- Alternatively, mulching with pine needles or oak leaves will increase the soil’s acidity as the materials break down over time.
- Amend your soil annually to ensure the pH is in the ideal range.
If using an organic fertilizer, apply it after the flowers bloom in spring when new growth won't be damaged by a late frost.
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