When the summer heat gives way to the cooler days and nights of early fall, conditions become ideal for newly-planted azalea roots to establish themselves. Also, as temperatures moderate, soil moisture becomes more available to the azalea root season – meaning less watering. Simply stated, fall conditions are less stressful to plants. Azaleas planted in the fall have the opportunity to establish their roots in the soil, and are ready to thrive as the spring growing season begins.
However, to ensure success, Encore® Azaleas must be planted correctly. Here are five planting tips from Encore® inventor Buddy Lee.
1. Choose a location with enough sunlight.
Unlike traditional azaleas, Encore Azaleas like full sun or high, filtered shade. Choose a location that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal blooms; morning sunlight is preferred.
2. Plant Encore® Azaleas in acidic soil.
Encore Azaleas thrive in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Don’t know the PH of your soil? Gather a soil sample and do a simple soil test. If you find your soil type is not ideal, here are some tips on amending your soil for azaleas.
2. Ensure adequate drainage when planting.
Encore Azaleas have a fibrous and shallow root system, and they hate standing water or wet feet! Amend soils that do not drain well, such as heavy clay and/or soils that are not acidic. Mixing your native soil with lots of decomposed organic material when planting your Encore Azaleas will promote the well-drained, acidic environment that azaleas love. Raised beds can help in areas of inadequate drainage.
3. Don’t plant too deeply.
Be sure not to plant your Encore Azalea too deeply. When planting, turn the soil good and dig a hole twice as wide as it is deep. Mix some organic compost or peat moss with the soil. Remove the Encore Azalea from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the prepared hole with the top of the root ball above the soil. Backfill with soil. Water thoroughly, and then mulch with two- to three-inches of pine nuggets, pine straw or another type of acidic mulch.
Water your Encore Azaleas two to three times a week in the first year. Note: check the soil moisture with your finger before watering; generally, less watering is needed in the fall.
4. If you are planting in fall, do not fertilize or prune newly-planted Encore Azaleas.
Pruning or fertilizing after August can encourage the growth of new foliage. Then, as colder weather arrives, the new foliage or even the entire plant could be damaged. Wait until after spring blooms to prune, and fertilize in spring, with second feeding in summer if desired.
5. Cover Encore Azaleas if severe winter cold approaches.
Mulch keeps Encore Azalea’s shallow roots safe from the outside environment while retaining moisture as the temperatures drop. Mulch can be applied any time to Encore Azaleas, although it’s best to add about 4 inches of mulch in fall to protect the roots from first frost. Pine straw and bark are ideal.
When heavy snowfall or icing is predicted, provide additional protection by driving stakes into the ground around the plants and draping material over the stakes. Choose burlap or any cloth material so the azalea receives air flow. Cover is especially beneficial for new or recently-transplanted azaleas, which have not had enough time to establish a strong root system.
Then, as winter gives way to spring, you can simply relax and watch your Encore Azaleas bloom.
Have more questions? Ask our azalea experts.