Easy to grow Azaleas in The Southeastern U. S.

These 8' Lavender Formosa Azaleas, are the easiest of several colors of Formosa I have grown here for many years. The following are plants in my yard.  They benefit from the acidic soils provided by the Pines. I have the best luck on sandy knolls, however one can grow them in heavy clay soils so long as it drains well.

Red Formosa, the most frost sensitive, last Formosa of the season to bloom.

Mixture of Pink and Lavender Formosa, Azelea George Tabor budding, new spring shoots of Pickeral weed, Nymphaea odorada (native American waterlily).

Azalea Delaware Valley White

White is G.G. Gerbing, Pink is George Tabor

A generous mulching of pine needles, pine bark mulch, leaves, acidic organic matter is a must to grow healthy Azaleas. Trimmings from anything that is grown on your property should be kept and used to provide a food source for something. Don't burn, or throw anything away.

George Tabor Azalea with sport of 3 blooms about center.

Azaleas are harder to start in clay soils because of fungus and root rot disease always present but harsher in rainy years. You will have the best luck in clay soils during dry years watering just enough, and every or every other day. You may have to plant several times. It takes them 2 to 3 seasons to root well enough to grow on their own without being watered during hot dry spells. After this time, Formosa and the other plants named here are bullet proof.

I've had little trouble with pests accept for lace bugs which a landscaper brought here on new plants I purchased from a wholesale nursery. I sprayed the hell out of them to no avail and gave up. Then I learned a vital lesson in gardening.

Plant at the right time, in the correct environment, provide barely sufficient water, and don't poison or worry but sit back and let the marvels of nature undertake what man in his short days can not conceivably understand.

1 year  regrowth (24''), on 30 year old azalea grouping cut to the ground.

In full sun, blooms will almost cover the shrub, in shade flowers are farther between but the shrubs are much healthier and taller.  Azaleas may be trimmed to any shape desirable and rejuvenated by cutting them back to the ground. Buds only appear on hardened new growth, so if you cut them back they may not boom properly until next spring.


Azaleas are susceptible to irreversible damage during severe drought, during which time you will find their best companion plant, the Louisiana native Long Leaf Yellow Pine tree in groupings of no further or closer than 12 feet. The long Leaf pine absorbs its water from deep in the ground with its long vertical tap roots, thus leaving all surface moisture for shallow rooted acid loving species like the Azalea.

(White)  G.G. Gerbing

Azalea Delaware Valley White

I don't have to wonder my duty,
it's an earnest attempt to see the beauty,
and understand the rules of this fleeting chance,

infinite consideration paid in advance.
 ________________________________________________

Delaware Valley White azalea is a small to medium, acid loving, single, profusely flowering, small leaved shrub to 4 foot in height and slightly wider. Because of its small leaves it's not an easy plant to keep attractive before and after blooming as are other azaleas, but in the third week of March in South Louisiana it will make you proud with more than its share of pure white single flowers. Azaleas do best in part shade on sandy acidic soil under Longleaf Yellow Pine Trees which have long tap roots resembling that of a human tooth. These deep rooted pines don't compete with shallow rooted azaleas for moisture, as they absorb water from deeper stratum of earth. Benefiting from the moisture retaining pine needle leaf shed twice a year which acidifies the  soil, the Azaleas likewise benefit the pines as a living mulch, and trap for air born organic matter and dust which feeds both plants. Groupings of both pines and azaleas are often done at the same time. Plant azaleas early spring and don't let them dry out the first season, this is the key to growing azaleas. After establishment Delaware Valley White and most other azaleas are drought tolerant in the Southeastern U.S..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_palustris