5 of the Most Popular Questions About Azaleas

Azaleas are landscape favorites, with their showy blooms and evergreen foliage. In fact, they’re a bit like a box of chocolates: It’s hard to stop with just one. Before you get started planting azaleas, let’s review some of the most popular questions about the shrubs.

1. Where is the best place to plant azaleas?

Azaleas thrive in filtered sunlight, like that found on the edges of woods, especially near stands of pines. Decomposing organic matter, especially pine straw, gives their shallow root system the acid it needs to perform best. As a rule, more sunlight equals more blooms. When selecting varieties, check plant tags. Some varieties can handle more sun than others.

2. When is the best time to plant azaleas?

Azaleas, like most shrubs and trees, can be planted in spring or fall. Of the two, fall is preferred because the dormant season gives the roots time to grow without the stress of summertime heat and drought. Don’t let this discourage you from planting in the spring, just be sure to mulch well and water throughout the summer to help the plant get established.

3. How do I pick the right shrubs for my landscape?

It’s best to shop for azaleas when they are in bloom, so you know what you’re bringing home. A rule of thumb: Pick two or three complementary colors of similar azaleas, making sure the shades look pleasing together. Check the plant tags to estimate the mature height of the shrubs. Plant larger shrubs in the back of the space, and place smaller shrubs in the foreground. Check the bloom time frame, too, so that shrubs planted close together bloom in sync.

4. When is the best time to prune azaleas?

Azaleas require pruning to achieve a lush spreading habit. The shrubs bloom on last year’s growth, so pruning is usually done after the show is over. But if there are dead branches or lanky suckers, it’s best to pick up the loppers and trim them out, no matter the season. Once the plants are shaping up, mark your garden chore calendar with “azalea pruning” in early to mid-June, before buds set for next spring. Learn more about pruning azaleas. 

5. How do I maintain azaleas?

Azaleas are not high-maintenance plants. If anything, attention to pruning, watering until the plants are established, and a winter’s blanket of mulch are all that’s required. Start with a location with the right amount of sunlight, amend the soil with organic matter, water when needed, and after a few years’ growth, give them a little shape with pruning shears. They will reward you with years of beautiful blooms.