Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Can I Plant My Azalea Outside?
Can I Plant My Azalea Outside?. With clouds of pink or white spring flowers clustering against vibrant green foliage, potted azaleas are a popular Mother's Day and Easter gift, but after a while they outgrow their pots. Rather than repot, consider moving them outdoors. A member of the rhododendron family, azaleas are very happy outdoors, under the...
With clouds of pink or white spring flowers clustering against vibrant green foliage, potted azaleas are a popular Mother's Day and Easter gift, but after a while they outgrow their pots. Rather than repot, consider moving them outdoors. A member of the rhododendron family, azaleas are very happy outdoors, under the right conditions. Groups of them burst into a lovely spring show every year and provide an architectural element to the garden for the rest of the year.
Azaleas Need Space
Before planting azaleas outdoors, remember that the cute little potted plant is going to grow much taller, and azaleas also have a spreading habit. It is normal for a mature azalea to reach 4 feet wide and high. Also, they can live for decades, and have been known to grow as large as a small tree. So allow enough space from side to side and front to back. Azaleas also like a little light shade.
Loosen the Root Ball
Azaleas are normally sold in pots. As a result, they can become root bound, especially if you've kept them in the original pot. To plant them outdoors, pull the bottom of the root ball loose. This may mean trimming some of it away with a knife. Don't worry about hurting it; you're helping it. To loosen a tightly bound plant in a plastic pot, you can roll it on the ground and press down on the side with your foot.
Size of the Hole
The hole for an azalea should be twice as wide as the root ball, but only one and a half times deeper than the root ball. They have a shallow root system, so a deeper back-filled hole is not necessary. Remember to allow a few feet between the plant and the house or fence, if that's where you are planting it.
Soil Acidity Matters
Azaleas love acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. You can take a sample of your soil and have it tested at a lab or buy a soil testing kit at a garden center. If your soil is too sweet, or alkaline, you can amend it with leaf mold, peat moss or pine wood chips.
Keep Your Azalea Watered
Water your azalea every day for the first week of its life in the ground. Use enough to moisten the ground without flooding it. After that, water once a week until it's well established.
When to Prune
Prune your azalea after it's done flowering. Pruning will help to keep it nicely shaped, keep the growth in check and help it to produce flowers more abundantly.
