Spring has Sprung! Azaleas in Full Bloom
In case you haven’t noticed, things are in bloom all over coastal North Carolina. It’s no coincidence we’re in the midst of the famed Azalea Festival here in Wilmington. All over town, the area is bursting with pinks, whites and purples. The normally unassuming flora is in its once-a-year crowning glory. The mix of our particular climate and sandy soil makes for perfect azalea conditions, and they absolutely thrive here, especially in the shade of picture perfect majestic oaks.
If you haven’t visited our area while the azaleas are in full bloom, it’s something that shouldn’t be missed. Early April is THE time to combine a vacation to our fair city with a scouting trip to view the Wilmington NC homes for sale you’ve been eyeing online. But don’t worry, if you miss those few weeks in April when these flowers are exploding with color, don’t be too disappointed...from here on out, there is always something blooming in Wilmington in spring and summer. (Come July, the crepe myrtles trees take over as the show-stoppers!)
I thought I would provide a little azalea info to all of you gardeners out there (or non-gardeners as these plants require so little to maintain!). Since I could soon find you that perfect property and you might just be our very next Wilmingtonian, you should become familiar with growing our favorite flowering yard accessory. According to the Azalea Society of America (yes, there actually is one!), here are a few tips.
Azaleas are relatively pest-free, forgiving and easy to grow plants. Their cultural needs include:
- Moderate temperatures (USDA cold hardiness zones 6 to 8, minimum -10 to +20° F.), although many varieties can thrive in much lower temperatures, and others in much higher temperatures.
- High shade is preferable but some varieties do well in full sun, especially deciduous varieties. While more sun typically produces more compact plants with more blooms, the blooms will not last as long.
- Slightly acid soil(pH 5.5-6) is best and is usually found under oak, pine and holly trees.
- A mulch of pine bark, pine needles or wood chips helps to keep moisture in the ground, even out changes in the soil temperature, and keep weeds out. An inch or so around the root zone and a thicker layer between the plants is desirable.
- Azaleas do not like "wet feet". Good drainage is most easily provided by planting azaleas with the tops of their root balls a few inches above ground level and mounding the soil up to the plants. This is particularly important with heavy clay soil.
- Azaleas like moist soil at their roots. This may require supplemental watering through early fall, at least until plants are established in the ground for a few years. Adequate water after bloom helps to produce more flower buds for next year. An infrequent deep soaking is more effective than superficial sprinkling. The amount of water needed depends on the soil, temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight. In a dry fall, water heavily after a good frost, before cold weather sets in.
- Established azaleas do not need fertilizer. To avoid inducing new growth which may be killed in the winter, do any fertilizing in late winter or early spring; never after July 1.
- To avoid cutting off next year's flower buds, do major pruning of azaleas soon after they bloom. Shortening or removal of long slender stems with no side shoots and cutting out dead wood may be done at any time.
Happy flowering,
Shannon