How to Grow & Care for Azaleas
Azaleas have the power to fill winter and spring gardens with masses of colourful blooms. Azaleas will tolerate a range of climates including cool, warm and subtropical regions.
Deciduous azaleas prefer cooler climates, while evergreen ones can be grown in both cool and warmer climates. Compact or small shrub azaleas are beautiful when mass planted or tucked into spots that need a pop of colour. While taller growing azaleas can be used as feature plants for real wow factor when in full bloom.
Top 5 steps to growing azalea
- Azaleas prefer a part shade spot, but some types will grow in a sunny position.
- The trick to growing perfect azaleas is an acidic soil with good drainage.
- Prune after flowering to encourage plenty of new growth
- Azaleas will happily grow in pots, just use a suitable potting mix like Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix and choose a pot with good drainage.
- Fertilise in spring and late summer or early autumn with Scotts Osmocote® Plus Organics Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas Plant Food & Soil Improver.
Shopping List
- Azalea plant
- Scotts Osmocote® Plus Organics Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas Plant Food & Soil Improver
- Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver
- Garden Shovel
- If growing in pots, you’ll need Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix + Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias and a suitable pot or container
- Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray
- Mulch
Preparation
Azaleas prefer a part or semi shaded spot - depending on the variety you’ve chosen - some will tolerate more open, sunny spaces particularly in cooler climates. Azaleas prefer a moist, but free draining soil that’s acidic with a pH around 4.5 - 6.0.
Prepare the soil for planting azaleas by mixing Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver and Scotts Osmocote® Plus Organics Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas Plant Food & Soil Improver through the soil in your chosen area.
Planting azalea in the garden
Plant your azalea into prepared soil - dig the hole twice as wide as the original pot and the same depth. Gently remove the azalea from the nursery pot and tease the roots lightly if they’re compact.
Pop the azalea into the hole and backfill around the plant. Water in well. Mulch around the base of azaleas to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep the mulch away from the main stem.
Planting azalea in pots
Azalea can be grown in large pots or planters with good drainage - choose a pot that’s at least 50-60cm wide and the same depth.
Fill your pot or planter with Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix. Gently remove the azalea from the nursery pot and tease the roots lightly if they are compact. Plant the azalea into the potting mix and back fill around the plant. Water in well and mulch over the surface of the potting mix to help retain moisture, but keep the mulch back from the plants main stem.
Fertilising & Care
Azalea will need fertilising in spring and again in late summer or early autumn with Scotts Osmocote® Plus Organics Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas Plant Food & Soil Improver. If you’re growing azalea in pots fertilise with Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser: Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & Camellias.
Prune azaleas after flowering to encourage new growth and if the plant has become too sparse and leggy cut it back by a third.
Pests & Diseases
Azaleas can be prone to pests and diseases - check your soil pH is correct, they are fertilised correctly and the plants have adequate airflow around and through them before looking for ways to control any pests or diseases.
The most common problems affecting azaleas are azalea lace bug and petal blight - ask at your local nursery or garden centre for suitable treatments in your area.
Thrips, whitefly and caterpillars on azaleas can be controlled with a spray of Defender Pyrethrum Insect Spray.
