AZALEAS : Finicky Flower : Exactly the right placement and soil type will reward growers of this shrub, which has an ‘easy to kill’ reputation.
With the warmth of spring rousing new plant growth around home landscapes, gardeners are taking to the yard with the intent of grooming and making changes to their outdoor surroundings.
Looking for just the right embellishment to fill that empty corner of the back yard? Or maybe you’ve opted to dispose of the marigolds for some blooming shrubbery?
A colorful azalea may be just the answer.
A close relative of the rhododendron--a rather finicky plant--azaleas have been extensively hybridized and numerous varieties are available in Ventura County.
“There are a lot of azalea varieties that do very well in Southern California,” said Bill Dewey of Green Thumb International nursery in Ventura. “Make sure you get the right plant for the right location.”
Whether you reside along the coast or in the warmer inland areas, Dewey said there’s an azalea plant for you. And as springtime is prime time for azaleas, local nurseries are now teeming with a wide assortment of plants.
While deciduous azalea types are common, Dewey advised Ventura County gardeners to opt for evergreen varieties. Of these, he said, “basically there are two categories: Belgian Indica and Southern Indica.” Evergreen azaleas have lush, full foliage and abundant, large blossoms during their flowering season.
Belgian Indica plants tend to do well in shaded areas, Dewey said, while plants from the Southern Indica family tolerate sun quite well.
“Generally, azaleas do best or are easiest to raise in the cooler areas,” Dewey said. “But where it’s warmer--like Simi Valley--people can be very successful with these plants.”
For many gardeners, azaleas seem to be the plant that is difficult to grow and easy to kill. “They do require something more than the average plant,” Dewey said. But provided that their basic requirements are met, azaleas will thrive for years and produce a bounty of colorful blooms.
In bloom for months at a time, azaleas can make dramatic additions to a landscape, bringing varying hues of reds, lavenders, orange blends and other vibrant colors to your yard. “There’s a myriad of pink varieties as well,” Dewey said. “The blooms can be soft shades through salmon, to real strong pink colors. It is an incredibly appealing plant that has gained a lot of popularity.”
Dewey said you will probably have to amend your soil before you can expect great results. “In some areas,” he said, “the soil has a high alkaline content. Azaleas require acid soil. It’s critical that the soil has a low pH. You can gain that by adding copious amounts of peat moss and the correct planter mix.”
Check with your local nurser to determine the exact needs of your chosen variety.
Hector Ormero, owner of Simi Grower, raises an assortment of azaleas in Simi Valley. He recommends digging a shallow, wide hole to plant the shrub. After mixing soil with the proper amendments, plant the azalea with the top of the root ball at least one inch above the soil.
“You don’t want to plant too deep,” Ormero advised. Azalea roots grow close to the surface. “Do not cultivate around the plant to remove weeds, either, because you will cut the feeding roots,” he said. A mulch--such as redwood bark-- can be used to protect this vulnerable area of the plant, he said.
Another warning: Pay close attention when watering. A major cause of premature death of azaleas is over-watering. Azaleas like to be kept moist, but not soggy. Ormero suggests that you water-- thoroughly--only when the top of the soil begins to dry out.
Fertilizer is also required a few times a year. Again, check with your nursery for specific feeding protocol. “You have to continue to do things to the soil throughout the plant’s life,” Dewey said. “You can see it definitely does require more tinkering. But it’s such a beautiful plant. An awful lot of people think the extra work is well worth it.”
ADVICE ON AZALEAS
That pink, fluffy azalea of your dreams may turn into a scorched nightmare if you don’t think about its intended location when buying a plant, said Bill Dewey of Green Thumb International nursery in Ventura.
Ventura County gardeners will want to choose their plant from either the shade-loving Belgian Indica varieties or the sun-tolerant Southern Indica types. If you reside in the warmer inland areas, a Southern Indica variety may best suit your needs.
“If it is your first time growing, we recommend one of the Southern Indicas,” Dewey said. “They do well in the sun but are also excellent in the shade.”
If your azalea could have its druthers, it would choose to bask under the filtered shade of a tall tree. “The ideal spot to plant is in interior shade with bright light around it all day,” he said.
Since springtime is perfect for planting azaleas--and a time when most are in bloom--your local nursery is now carrying a wide range of color options.
Hector Ormero, owner of Simi Grower, raises a number of azalea types. He suggested the following hybrids from the Southern Indica family: “Formosa” (brilliant rose purple), “George Lindley Tabor” (light pink) and ‘Pride of Dorking’ (brilliant red). And from the Belgian Indica group: “California Sunset” (salmon pink with white border), “William Van Orange” (orange red) and “Albert and Elizabeth” (white and pink).
