When the summer heat gives way to the cooler days and nights of early fall, conditions become ideal for newly planted azalea roots to establish themselves. Simply stated, fall conditions are less stressful to plants. Azaleas planted in the fall have the opportunity to establish their roots in the soil and are ready to thrive as the spring growing season begins. Here are five planting tips from Encore inventor Buddy Lee:
Choose a location with enough sunlight. Unlike traditional azaleas, Encore Azaleas like full sun or high, filtered shade. Choose a location that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooms; morning sunlight is preferred.
Plant Encore Azaleas in acidic soil. Encore Azaleas thrive in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Ensure adequate drainage when planting. Mixing your native soil with lots of decomposed organic material when planting your Encore Azaleas will promote the well-drained, acidic environment that azaleas love.
Do not fertilize or prune fall-planted azaleas. Pruning or fertilizing after August can encourage the growth of new foliage. Then, as colder weather arrives, the new foliage or even the entire plant could be damaged. Wait until after spring blooms to prune.
Cover Encore Azaleas if severe winter weather approaches. Mulch keeps Encore Azalea’s shallow roots safe from the outside environment while retaining moisture as the temperatures drop. Mulch can be applied any time to Encore Azaleas, although it’s best to add about 4 inches of mulch in fall to protect the roots from first frost. Pine straw and bark are ideal.
