🌺 Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
The Southern garden's spring fireworks display, in shrub form.
Sun
Partial shade; morning sun, afternoon shade
Days to harvest
N/A — ornamental; blooms within 1–2 years
Spacing
3–5 ft
Soil pH
4.5–6.0 (acid-loving)
How to grow
Plant in acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter — azaleas are the drama queens of pH and will yellow dramatically in alkaline soil. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Mulch with pine straw or bark to keep roots cool and add acidity as it breaks down. Florida favorites include the heat-tolerant Encore series that rebloom.
Water & feeding
Consistent moisture, especially during bloom and establishment. Shallow roots dry out fast, so don't let them bake — but don't drown them either.
Common problems
- Lace bugs (stippled, bleached leaves — worst in full sun)
- Petal blight in wet springs (flowers turn brown and mushy)
- Chlorosis in alkaline soil (yellow leaves, green veins — add sulfur or chelated iron)
- Root rot in heavy, waterlogged soil
Harvest
No fruit — prune right after spring bloom finishes, never in fall or you'll cut off next year's flowers. Deadhead spent blooms if you're feeling fancy, but it's optional.
Nerdy fact: All parts of azaleas contain grayanotoxins — the same compounds behind 'mad honey' that once incapacitated an entire Roman army. Gorgeous, beloved, and quietly poisonous: the garden's most beautiful red flag.