are azaleas trees or bushes

What is an azalea?

Azaleas are a type of flowering bushy plant in the Rhododendron genus. Azalea shrubs can transform your garden with a sea of color when the plants bloom in the springtime.

What is the difference between azaleas and ground cover shrubs?

The usual distinction is simply that azaleas tend to be smaller plants with smaller leaves. Size is very variable, however, and there are dwarf ground cover shrubs to tall plants of over 20 feet (6m) in this group!

Are azaleas easy to grow from seed?

These cold-hardy deciduous azaleas are easy to grow from seed. This orange deciduous azalea has small flowers and is a great small to medium landscaping plant. There are many orange to red hybrids from the Cumberlandense species.

How big do azalea plants get?

The Azalea indica ‘Formosa’ grows to between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) and keeps its leaves all year long. The bright vivid flower colors of the Formosa azalea will add a splash of color when it blooms in early spring.

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Do azaleas turn into trees?

Growing trees Unlike saplings, an azalea or a flowering azalea does not automatically grow into an azalea tree.

What type of plant is azalea?

Azaleas /əˈzeɪliə/ are flowering shrubs in the genus Rhododendron, particularly the former sections Tsutsuji (evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous).

Do azaleas grow on bushes?

Nothing is more beautiful than an azalea shrub in spring bloom. These easy-care shrubs come in so many colors it's hard to find one that doesn't suit your needs. Azaleas can be grown in nearly any garden, instantly adding interest and color to drab areas.

How tall does an azalea bush grow?

How big do they grow? Azaleas come in thousands of varieties and can grow to be 10 feet tall or dwarf varieties that only reach a foot or two.

Does azalea come back every year?

Do azaleas grow back every year? The Encore series of azaleas grows back every year in the fall and spring. Other series' of azaleas do not grow back every year, unless you prune them before mid-summer.

Where is the best place to plant an azalea?

Where to Plant Azaleas. Select a location that has morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light. Hot all-day sun can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests. Azaleas also require well-drained, acidic soil.

Are azalea bushes perennials?

Azaleas are perennial, so they'll come back year after year, adds Fanello. "You can extend the season," he says, "by planting late-blooming varieties, such as the pink "Sweet September," orange "Flame Creeper" ground variety or "Weston's Lemon Drop" that has peach buds that open into yellow flowers."

Do azaleas lose leaves in winter?

This foliage color change enhances the look of your Encores in the winter landscape. As with all types of evergreen plants, Encore Azaleas drop foliage in the late winter and early spring as new foliage emerges.

What do azaleas look like in winter?

These symptoms normally are descriptive of an “end-of-the-growing-season” look. Some azaleas, like the popular Fashion variety, have bronzy to purple-looking foliage in the winter. All evergreen azaleas go through a stage when old foliage is being lost and new foliage is emerging for spring.

What is the best time of year to plant azaleas?

The best time to plant azaleas is in spring and fall. Plant them in a sunny spot that gets a good amount of afternoon shade. When planting azaleas, fill the hole with a 50/50 blend of existing soil and Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs.

What month do azaleas flower?

The Azalea is a garden plant with many faces that looks fantastic in almost any garden, from hyper-minimalist to natural. The plant flowers profusely and elegantly in May and June with romantic flowers in white, pink, red or burgundy, but there are also varieties with bi-coloured flowers.

How long do azalea bushes live?

Azalea bushes can live for 50 years with proper care. Azaleas are a subgenus of flowering shrubs that can grow up to 6 feet in height and produce numerous large flowers in colors of pink, purple, red or white. They bloom during the spring and can be deciduous or evergreen, depending on the species.

Azalea Care Guide: How to plant, grow, and care for azaleas

It’s difficult to think of a southern garden without envisioning azaleas graciously and vibrantly sweeping through the background. They are arguably one of the most popular ornamental shrubs in the South, along with our beloved hydrangeas. But azaleas aren’t just for Southerners to enjoy.

1. Azalea vs. Rhododendron: What's the difference?

Sometimes people get confused about the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron. That’s because an azalea is always a rhododendron, but a rhododendron is not necessarily an azalea. The confusion really lies with how they are named—specifically, their common names.

2. How to use azaleas in garden design

Azaleas are really a utility player in the garden. They provide both striking beauty when they are in bloom as well as a very reliable evergreen backdrop to help other plants shine throughout the year. Because of the many varieties available to choose from, you can probably find an azalea that meets almost any of your ornamental shrub design needs.

3. Where, when, and how to plant azaleas

Azaleas are an extremely hardy shrub. In fact, I include them on my list of “bullet-proof plants” when talking to clients. But there are certainly things you can do to ensure a happier and healthier plant. Here are a few things to keep in mind from the get-go.

4. How to water, mulch, and fertilize azaleas

Once you have your azaleas in the ground make sure to give them what they need to thrive going forward.

5. When, why, and how to prune azaleas

If you’re looking to keep your azaleas their happiest … and you too (i.e., more flowers and less maintenance), it’s critical to understand when, why, and how to prune them.

6. Common Azalea Questions or Challenges

You shouldn’t have many problems if you care for your azaleas as outlined above. They are extremely hardy and easy to take care of. However, as with all plants, you could run into a number of problems or have some questions about their health. The questions that my clients ask me about most are outlined below.

Azalea Grow Guide

There are thousands of varieties, hybrids, and wild species of azaleas and rhododendrons.

Most Popular Azalea Varieties

Formosa Azalea: The Formosa Azalea features bright, lavender-pink blooms with blotches of darker pink shades throughout the petals.

Where is the Sobaeksan azalea?

Sobaeksan, one of the 12 well-known Sobaek Mountains, lying on the border between Chungbuk Province and Gyeongbuk has a royal azalea ( Rhododendron schlippenbachii) festival held on May every year. Sobaeksan has an azalea colony dotted around Biro mountaintop, Gukmang and Yonwha early in May. When royal azaleas have turned pink in the end of May, it looks like Sobaeksan wears a pink Jeogori (Korean traditional jacket).

Is azalea honey toxic?

In addition to being renowned for its beauty, the azalea is also highly toxic—it contains andromedotoxins in both its leaves and nectar, including honey from the nectar. Bees are deliberately fed on Azalea/ Rhododendron nectar in some parts of Turkey, producing a mind-altering, potentially medicinal, and occasionally lethal honey known as " mad honey ".

What diseases do azaleas have?

Petal blight, leaf spots, and root rot are common diseases associated with these deciduous shrubs. Placing azaleas in areas with good drainage and conserving water by applying mulch usually helps reduce the chances of plant damage due to these problems.

What are the problems with azaleas?

Although azaleas are generally free of pests and diseases with proper azalea care, common azalea diseases and problems do exist. Insects that can affect azaleas include lace bugs and spider mites. Lace bugs are more likely to target shrubs that are grown in areas of full sun. Petal blight, leaf spots, and root rot are common diseases associated ...

What type of soil do azaleas need?

Best Soil for Azalea Plants. Azaleas have shallow roots and require well-drained, acidic soil. In poorly drained areas, azaleas should be placed in raised beds. Azaleas can also make exceptional candidates for containers. It also helps to amend the soil with compost beforehand.

Do azaleas need fertilizer?

Organic matter added to the soil and an adequate layering of mulch will generally provide azaleas with sufficient nutrients, therefore, frequent fertilizing is often not required. However, if there are low amounts of nitrogen in the soil, applying fertilizer may be necessary in order to prevent a nutrient deficiency.

What Is An Azalea Bush?

Azaleas are evergreen or deciduous broadleaf flowering plants from the Ericaceae family. These plants are very similar to the familiar rhododendrons and are in fact from the same genus. The usual distinction is simply that azaleas tend to be smaller plants with smaller leaves.

Azalea Flowers

Azalea flowers come in a variety of colors, but white, pink and red are the most common shades. Yellow and orange options are also available. Flower color varies a lot with these plants, however, even between different cultivars of the same species. Flower color can even vary on the same plant.

Popular Azaleas Varieties

There is a great variety (thousands) of different azaleas available to gardeners. They can be either naturally occurring species or hybrids between more than one species. These beautiful plants come in all different shapes and sizes, to suit just about any application.

How To Grow Azaleas Plants

These azaleas plants can be grown from seed but will not necessarily look the same as the parent plant since many of the azaleas you are likely to come across are hybrids. Cuttings will be a far more reliable way of propagating new plants with specific characteristics.

Care and Maintenance

You can plant azaleas at any time of the year, although plants will need some extra care while dealing with the heat after a spring or summer planting. Prune this plant as soon as the flowers start to die off. This will prevent removing the next season’s buds and encourage better flowering the following season.

Azalea Plants Uses

Azaleas are a wonderful plant for bright, colorful spring and summer displays. Their preference for shady areas means they are ideal for brightening up gloomy parts of the garden that usually don’t hold much interest.

What is the botanical name of an azalea?

The botanical names of azaleas often include ‘ rhododendron’ in the name. For example, one of the azaleas that belong to the Encore Azalea Series has the botanical name Rhododendron ‘Autumn Chiffon’. So, while all azaleas are a subspecies of rhododendrons , not all rhododendrons are azaleas.

What color are azaleas?

Azalea flowers come in shades of orange, yellow, purple, red, pink, and white colors. Some spectacular types of azaleas have gorgeous flowers with large bi-colored petals and protruding stamens. There are over 800 species of azaleas with more than 10,000 different types.

How big do azaleas get?

This compact azalea variety, named the ‘Princess Anne,’ is one of the prettiest dwarf azaleas in the rhododendron genus. The bush grows to 2 or 3 ft. (60 – 90 cm) and has an array of bright blossoms. Pale yellow-green flowers that are in the shape of a funnel have long white, red-tipped stamens protruding. The azalea flowers are about 1” (2.5 cm) across and can brighten up any part of your garden.

How big do azaleas get in spring?

Large yellow flowers on the azalea Calendulaceum really brighten up gardens in springtime. Vibrant yellow azalea blooms can be up to 2.5” (6 cm) across. Some cultivars of this species can also have orange, bright red, or sunshine yellow blooms. These cold-hardy deciduous azaleas are easy to grow from seed.

How tall does an azalea grow?

The ‘Autumn Chiffon’ azalea produces elegant white and pink blooms that contrast with the dark green leaves. The large flowers grow up to 2.75” (8 cm) across and are pale pink with dark pink centers. Similar to other ‘Encore’ azaleas, this azalea type doesn’t grow taller than 3 ft. (90 cm) and is a dense evergreen plant.

What is the name of the evergreen azalea in the Encore series?

Another evergreen azalea in the Encore Series is the ‘Autumn Sunburst.’ This beautiful shrub produces showy, semi-double flowers in the spring. The large blooms are in coral-pink with white ruffled edges. As with all Encore Series Azaleas, they bloom sporadically from spring until the first frost.

How big does a Formosa Azalea grow?

These types of flowers have a papery, ruffled look and are in the shape of a trumpet. The Azalea indica ‘Formosa’ grows to between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) and keeps its leaves all year long.

What type of soil do azaleas prefer?

Relevance. Date. Planting. Planting azaleas. Azaleas prefer loose, moist, well-drained soil for their roots. If the soil is heavy, mix it with as much as 50% organic matter, such as fine pine bark or rotted leaves, before using it to plant the azalea. When choosing such soil amendments, avoid materials which may be alkaline or “hot” ...

How to plant azaleas in heavy soil?

In heavy soil, plant high, with the top of the rootball several inches above the ground level, and mound the amended soil up to the rootball.

Why do azaleas have low pH?

It is caused by a lack of available iron due to a variety of reasons, including compacted soil, too much water, too much fertilizer, or soil acidity outside of the range needed by azaleas (pH between a low of 4.5 and a high of 6.0, where 7.0 is neutral).

How to check if azaleas drain well?

Check how well your soil drains by filling a hole with water. If it is empty in a few hours, it drains well. If not, you have so-called "heavy" soil. In heavy soil, don't plant azaleas into small holes filled with amended soil, since the holes will hold water and be death traps for the plants. Instead, you can build raised beds, or amend ...

What is the pH of Azaleas?

Azaleas have shallow roots, and prefer moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0. If in doubt, you can submit soil samples through your County Extension Service to have the pH and nutrient levels tested, usually for little or no cost.

Can azaleas grow in clay soil?

Roots of deciduous azaleas may range deeper and further from the trunk in their search for water. Sand and clay are the soil extremes, and neither are suitable for growing azaleas.

Do azaleas need water?

Supplemental water may be needed if the rainfall is much less than that , especially if there is no rainfall for extended periods. Especially watch for signs of dryness on recent transplants, on azaleas which have been planted high, and on azaleas which are in full sun or locations exposed to drying winds.

Where are azaleas native to?

Many of the crucial parent species are natives of western China.

What color is the azalea shrub?

Plus, the shrub’s dark green foliage turns orange-red in the fall. This slow-grower tends to extend wider than it is tall. Like most types of azaleas, it prefers rich, acidic, evenly moist soil with good drainage. A layer of mulch is helpful to protect its shallow root system. Native Area: Southern and central Korea.

How many stamens does a rhododendron have?

Rhododendron flowers have 10 stamens, while azaleas have five. Beyond that, azaleas generally have smaller leaves and branches and are more often deciduous (i.e., they shed their leaves annually), while rhododendrons have larger, leathery leaves and are usually evergreen. For the most part, azaleas bloom earlier than rhododendrons.

What is the pH of azaleas?

Like rhododendrons, azaleas prefer rich, acidic soil, with a pH of 4.5–6.0. This often can be accomplished simply by mulching regularly with pine needs or another acid-rich organic material. Regular feeding with an acidifying fertilizer will also do the trick.

What is a hybridized rhododendron?

Extensive hybridization means that new varieties appear every year, including many that are now suitable for northern climates. The Rhododendron genus comprises both azalea and rhododendron species. The two classes of flowering shrubs are very similar, with the technical differences found in the structure of the flowers.

When does snow azalea bloom?

Sergejs Kartasovs / Getty Images. The 'Snow' azalea hybrid produces trumpet-shaped clusters of white blooms in the spring that pop against a backdrop of green leaves, and the foliage remains deep green through the winter. The shrub has a slow growth rate and typically doesn’t require much pruning.

Do you need to prune azaleas after they bloom?

The shrub has a slow growth rate and typically doesn’t require much pruning. If you need to prune to shape the plant or remove dead portions, do so right after it’s done flowering. This type of azalea is very particular about its planting site and must have soil that’s rich, acidic, evenly moist, and well-draining.

What Do Azalea Bushes Need to Thrive?

Given the right conditions, growing Azaleas is a breeze. Plant them in a spot they like, and you’ll get beautiful blooms every spring with minimal work. Azaleas are a bit picky about soil and light conditions, though, so you have to get the environment right.

What Makes a Good Companion Plant for Azaleas?

Other plants that thrive under the same conditions as Azaleas make ideal companion plants for the Azalea garden. Companion plants must be suited to the same soil type as Azaleas – acidic, moist, well-drained, organic soil.

What Types of Plants Look Best With Azaleas?

The best companion plants for Azaleas will not only thrive under the same conditions but will complement Azaleas in terms of colors, textures, and seasonality. Companion plants may include overstory trees, neighboring shrubs, and smaller plants that grow below and around Azaleas.

Raised Beds with Acidic Soil

If your area has alkaline or neutral soil, a raised bed filled with acidic soil is often the easiest way to grow Azaleas ( learn more here ). Pair Azaleas in your acidic raised bed with other acid-loving plants, such as those in the Ericaceae plant family.

Our Suggestions for Plants to Pair With Your Azaleas

Azaleas are often planted with other shrubs, but you can also consider complementing them with overstory and low-level plants. Filling in the vertical space can add richness to your garden’s aesthetic.

Putting It All Together

Key factors to consider when choosing companion plants for an Azalea garden are growing conditions and aesthetics. Pair Azaleas with plants that do well in moist, acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and don’t require full sun.

Overview

Cultivation

Disease

Pests

Cultural significance and symbolism

Toxicity

Azalea festivals

See also