| Azaleas are a flowering plant with a lot of | | | | space them with a few feet between to give the |
| panache. They put off an impressive show, and if | | | | roots ample room to spread. |
| done right, will continue to do so for years to | | | | Azaleas prefer to be fertilized after they've had a |
| come. Following is a guide to ensuring the success | | | | chance to establish their roots. When the plant |
| of this beautiful flowering shrub. | | | | has successfully been put in the ground, water it |
| Most azaleas are store bought. When choosing | | | | thoroughly; about five to ten minutes with a |
| the azalea in the store, be sure to choose a plant | | | | garden hose, but do not fertilize. When it's been in |
| that has green leaves and lots of flower buds. If | | | | the ground for a week or two and it's obvious |
| the plant is at all weepy or the leaves are limp, | | | | that it's taking root and flourishing well, then |
| this plant will probably not do well and may be | | | | fertilize and water regularly. When there's very |
| diseased. A good choice will produce a rewarding | | | | little precipitation outside, water with a garden |
| plant. | | | | hose daily for five to ten minutes. |
| When you are ready to plant your azalea, you | | | | In the fall, prune the bush back to promote new |
| must first prepare the soil. Azaleas prefer an | | | | and full growth for the following spring. Be sure to |
| acidic soil and need to have good drainage. | | | | allow for fresh spring growth when pruning. The |
| Therefore you must loosen the soil that it will be | | | | second growing season tends to have small |
| planted in about six to eight inches down. Also, be | | | | amounts of growth, but in the third and |
| sure to test the acidity of the soil and adjust it | | | | thereafter the plant will really take off. Keep that |
| accordingly. When creating the hole that it will be | | | | in mind when pruning. Be sure there's enough |
| planted in, be sure to give it just enough room so | | | | room for growth above the ground as well as |
| that the root ball will be even or just above the | | | | below. |
| earth. If planting more than one bush, be sure to | | | | |