How to Grow Azaleas

• Select the right type of azalea for your garden.
• Choose a spot with the best growing conditions.
• Improve the soil with Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs.
• Plant azaleas according to spacing recommendations.
• Water thoroughly.
• Feed during the growing season with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food.
• Prune as needed to control size and renew growth.

What we think of as the quintessential Southern plant, the azalea, is actually mostly native to Asia. There are a few native to the United States, but the plants with huge flowers in pink, white, red, burgundy, and coral are imports. No matter! They’re a must-have in zones 6 to 9 for their amazing spring show. As shrubs go, azaleas are of the "little work, big reward" variety, so they’re definitely worth considering for your own garden and landscape.

Here’s how to grow azaleas.

Select a location that has morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light. Hot all-day sun can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests. Azaleas also require well-drained, acidic soil. Ideally, you would want to test the soil pH using a soil testing kit. If the pH is higher than 6.0, lower it by applying aluminum sulfate to the soil according to package instructions.

When planting azaleas, spacing depends on the variety you’re growing. Larger bushes require more space than smaller types. It’s tempting to plant small bushes close together, but you will end up chopping down every other azalea bush if you do that. Read the plant tag to determine correct spacing, then follow these steps:

1. Set plants where you plan to plant.
2. Dig a planting hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of the plant.
3. Remove the plant from its container and place it in the planting hole so the top of the root ball is even with the soil line.
4. Fill in around the plant with the soil you removed mixed in a 50:50 ratio with Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs. This will give the plants instant nutrition and help them grow strong roots.
5. Water thoroughly.
6. Spread a layer of mulch around the plant’s roots, taking care not to mound it against the plant. This will help keep the soil moist.

Thoroughly soak the soil two to three times per week during the first two months after planting. You can gradually decrease the frequency of watering as the plants become rooted. After three or four months, watering deeply once per week should be sufficient. After the first growing season, plants should not need supplemental water unless it hasn’t rained for two or more weeks.

A month after planting, begin feeding azaleas with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food. In addition to the main plant nutrients, this fertilizer also includes micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc, which are vital for growing azaleas (and other acidic soil-loving plants). Be sure to follow label directions.