Winter-hardy azalea species are ideal for the garden. But the long-awaited heyday has to be earned “hard”. With a very acidic location and good care, as the azalea requires. If you know how to do everything right from the start, you can master it.
How is the azalea properly cultivated in the garden?
Winter-hardy azalea species can be planted in the garden in spring. The location should bepartly shaded, the soil should be permeable and very acidic. Fertilize the azalea in May with horn shavings (€52.00 at Amazon) and keep thesoil always moist, but without causing waterlogging.
Which type of azalea is suitable for the garden?
Since there is usually frost in Germany in winter, only hardy azalea species can thrive permanently in the garden. The outdoor azaleas mainly includethe deciduous rhododendron speciesandJapanese azaleas, which here is often evergreen or semi-evergreen. Indian azaleas (room azaleas) can only be planted in the garden between mid-May and mid-October in order to encourage them to bloom a second time. In autumn they have to go back into the pot and overwinter in the house.
What location does the azalea need in the garden?
Azaleas originate in the forest, where they grow in the shade under trees. They also don't like the blazing sun in the garden and can get brown leaves from it. However, some varieties tolerate more sun. Chalky soil is also absolutely unsuitable, as this will cause the azalea's leaves to turn yellow. This is what the ideal location must be:
- partly shaded to shady
- also sunny for some varieties
- with apH value between 4 and 5
- with permeable soil
When and how do I plant a garden azalea?
The best time to plant the azalea isSpring. If necessary, the pH value of the soil can be lowered beforehand with coniferous compost. Please note the following points to ensure that the planting is successful:
- Planting hole must be four times as large as the root ball
- create a 10 cm highdrainage layer made of gravel
- Azaleadon't plant too deep
- Spread a three centimeter thick layer of mulch
- best made from the bark of coniferous trees
How do I care for the azalea in the garden?
The care must betailored closely to the needs of the azalea, because even small deviations will affect its vitality.
- Fertilize with nitrogen-rich horn shavings in mid-May
- Keep the root area moist at all times (without waterlogging)
- Clean up wilted flowers as soon as possible
- Mulching soil in autumn
Is the garden azalea susceptible to diseases and pests?
The garden azalea can suffer from earlobe disease, be covered in powdery mildew or fall victim to wilt, to name a few diseases. Black weevils and spider mites are the most common pests on azaleas. Always keep an eye on the leaves and flowers. If the azalea suffers from something, leaf spots, feeding marks or unsightly discoloration appear.
Tip
Don't plant azaleas too closely and thin them out in the fall in an airy manner
Azaleas need to be airy, and a crown that is too dense should be thinned out in autumn. Otherwise, the branches will remain wet and the soil moist long after a rainstorm. Lichens can colonize the branches and fungal pathogens can spread more easily.
