Native Azalea Shrubs - Where Do Western Azaleas Grow

Western azalea plants are one of two azalea shrubs native to western North America. Also called California azalea, this azalea occurs north into the Oregon coast and into the southern mountains of San Diego County as well as into the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges.

Where do native azaleas grow?

Landscape Site

Flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). Native azaleas prefer cool, partially shaded sites with rich, moist woodland soil. But exceptions occur as some will tolerate dry woodland soil, and others flourish in what would be considered excessively moist areas.

Where do azaleas grow best?

Azaleas do well in full sun or part shade (about four hours of sun). Planted in full sun, azaleas will be more compact and floriferous. When planted in part shade, they will stretch toward the sunlight and form a more graceful habit; flowers will not be as plentiful but will last longer.

Where do you keep azaleas?

Keep flowering plants in a cool, humid atmosphere with plenty of light, such as an unheated porch. Plants will deteriorate if they suffer long periods in hot, dry conditions.

Do azalea bushes 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.

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.

How big do native azaleas get?

Native azaleas are flowering shrubs that can reach airy heights of 6'-8'. They can be used in hedgerows or shrub borders, as the background to a perennial garden, or as a specimen plant.

Are azaleas toxic to dogs?

#12 Azalea/Rhododendron

These common flowering shrubs are poisonous plants for dogs and produce serious gastrointestinal issues. They can additionally cause weakness, discoordination, and weak heart rate. Potentially fatal.

Are coffee grounds good for azalea bushes?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

How fast do azalea bushes grow?

The 1-gallon plants are 9- to 12-months younger than 3-gallon plants, and will take the longest to reach full size (6 to 7 years). If you purchase large 7-gallon plants, these have been growing 3 to 4 years at the nursery and will take another 3 to 4 years to reach a mature look in the landscape.

How do you keep azaleas blooming?

How Do I Get Azaleas To Produce More Blooms

Ensure the plants are getting enough sunlight.
Deadhead spent blooms each year.
Fertilize after blooming using a balanced fertilizer.
Apply a layer of mulch and provide sufficient moisture to the plants.
Protect the plants during harsh winters.

Is Epsom salt good for azaleas?

Many seasoned gardeners simply toss a handful of Epsom salts around the bases of azaleas or other shrubs. ... The National Gardening Association recommends applying Epsom salts mixed in water as a foliar spray for best results.

How do you make Azalea bushier?

To maintain a more compact appearance or simply to encourage bushier growth, trim azaleas after their blooming period has expired. Taking time to trim azaleas by cutting back the branches of these shrubs will also help renew overgrown plants.

Will azaleas grow back if cut down?

An azalea can become overgrown and leggy, and although rejuvenating pruning is beneficial, drastic measures, such as cutting the shrub down to 6 inches above the ground, can kill it. ... If new growth emerges from the 6-inch-tall branch, then you'll know the azalea can withstand severe cutting back.

Is Azalea a perennial or annual?

Azaleas are neither perennials or annuals. They are shrubs with woody branches that last from year to year. Some azaleas, however, are not cold-hardy and will freeze below 25 degrees F and are treated as single-season plants like annuals. Annuals are plants that sprout, flower, set seed and die within a year.

How many times a year do azaleas bloom?

Since most azaleas bloom only once a year, for about two weeks, planting several varieties of azaleas allows you to enjoy a profusion of blooms for a longer period, as The Augusta Chronicle notes.

What should I plant next to azaleas?

Partner azaleas in the garden with woodland perennials such as ferns, wild ginger (Asarum), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum), hosta (Hosta), toad lily (Tricyrtis), and many others. Combine azaleas with other flowering shrubs.

Are azaleas high maintenance?

Azaleas are not high-maintenance plants. If anything, attention to pruning, watering until the plants are established, and a winter's blanket of mulch are all that's required.

How many azaleas should I plant?

Under 3 Feet Tall - Space the plants 2 feet apart. 3 to 5 Feet Tall - Leave about 30 inches between each plant. 8 to 10 Feet Tall - Give plants a lot of room to grow and expand, with 4 to 6 feet of spacing between each.

How do you prune native azaleas?

After Spring Bloom When pruning a native azalea immediately after it has bloomed use a sharp pair of bypass hand pruners to remove any damaged or dead branches. At this time, I usually only cut back the longer live branches that are spoiling the look and shape of the plant.

What does a wild azalea look like?

Wild azalea is a showy shrub growing up to 8 feet tall. Leaves are alternate, deciduous, clustered, 1 1/2-4 inches long and 3/4-1 1/4 inches wide. They are firm and thick, with a dark green upper surface. ... They are pink (rarely white), trumpet-shaped, about 1 inch long, flaring into 5 petal-like lobes.

Are azaleas fragrant?

Depending upon the variety, the azalea can have no scent, be lightly scented or be highly fragranced. Evergreen azaleas rarely have a scent, while native deciduous azaleas can be very fragrant.