Azaleas
 Azaleas and rhododendrons have showy, colorful flowers. Azaleas and rhododendrons
are grouped together because they are both subspecies to the genus Rhododendron.
Azaleas are deciduous and have five stamens. Rhododendron has evergreen
leaves and ten stamens within the flower.
Planting
Prepare the soil so that it has enough acid. If your soil is not acidic,
add acid peat, sulfur, or ferrous sulfate to lower the pH. Add organic
matter such as compost, manure, and sawdust. Many people mulch with pine
needles. Do not plant too deep. dig a shallow hole and backfill around
the plant with a mixture of acid peat and existing soil. Fertilize once
a year during spring or summer. Special azalea fertilizers are available.
Tips
Are sensitive to extreme heat. Avoid areas such as an exposed south side
of a house where heat is reflected and can build up. Their root system
is shallow and they tend to dry out rapidly during dry periods during
hot summer days. The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has developed
and released the Northern Light Series of hybrid azaleas. The Golden Lights
Azaleas have golden flowers 1 1/2" to 2" across and have greater
resistance to mildew.
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