Azaleas are popular house and garden plants and impress with their numerous, colorful flowers. They do not tolerate frost. However, there are some species that are hardy. Here you can find out what types these are and how to care for them properly.
Are azaleas hardy and how do I care for them in winter?
Hardy azaleas are mostly summer green and can survive temperatures down to -25 degrees Celsius. The Japanese azalea (Rhododendron japonicum) is a hardy species. Protect the plant in winter with mulch on the ground and water on frost-free days.
Which azaleas are hardy?
You can tell whether your azalea is hardy or not by whether or not it sheds its leaves in the fall. Summer green azaleas aresuitable for outdoor cultivation andfrost hardy
One of the best-known azalea species, which is an exception, is theJapanese Azalea (Rhododendron japonicum). Although it is largely evergreen, it is very resilient and hardy. The Japanese azalea has a relatively small growth habit with numerous compact flowers. It is often found in gardens under large trees that provide it with plenty of shade.
How do I care for hardy garden azaleas to protect them from the cold?
Garden azaleas are relatively robust andsurvive our European winters. In particularly cold winters without snow as an insulating layer, you should give your hardy garden azalea some support. You should also protect young plants from icy cold and drafts. If the ground is permanently frozen, the plant cannot absorb water and will die. The following measures can help:
- Protect the soil and therefore the root area with a thick layer of mulch. Autumn leaves or wood chips are particularly suitable for this.
- Water your azalea on frost-free days.
How much cold can an azalea tolerate?
The azalea can survive up to -25 degrees Celsius in a relatively protected location and does not require any further frost protection. However, if your azalea is in a pot, you should wrap it up well or bring it indoors to a cool, bright place protected from drafts. In the pot, the plant cannot access frost-protected groundwater like its planted colleagues. If it cannot absorb water, it dries up. A suitable winter quarters is, for example, a cool, bright stairwell or the bedroom.
Which location is suitable for the garden azalea in winter?
Garden azaleas find protection from direct sunlight and increased humidity in summerunder a large tree. In winterit also protectsitfrom cold gusts of windand mitigates frost somewhat. The azalea is often used as a hedge plant. Here you should also pay attention to a relatively protected location. In summer, azaleas should not be exposed to the blazing midday sun and should be protected from icy winds in winter. If the plant is exposed to strong winds, this will enormously reduce the blooms next year.
Tip
Remove frost damage before new growth
Once the deep winter is over and spring is slowly but surely approaching again, you should check your azalea for any frost damage. You can cut off dead branches cleanly shortly before spring shoots. This will provoke strong new growth. Curled leaves are not forest damage. This effectively protects the plant from moisture loss through evaporation.
