Then continue back-filling to the top edge of the root ball. Does Wilson Bros Gardens Sell On Ebay Or Amazon? Why Are Some Of The Leaves On My Crape Myrtle Turning Red With Black Spots? Evergreen azaleas will grow in full sun or part shade. To add extra appeal and instant beauty to your container garden, plant annual flowers, creeping or cascading perennial plants, or low-growing ornamental groundcover or grass plants around the base of your azalea. If your soil drains well, start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and no deeper than the root ball of your new azalea plant. Then loosen some feeder roots from around the surface of the root ball. Before watering azaleas growing in containers make sure to use the finger test to check soil moisture. Where they are not cold hardy you can move containers indoors for the winter. Azaleas growing in pots appreciate a moist but well-drained soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering. Well-drained soil is a must! Or, if you fear the plant may be damaged by pulling it out of the container, cut the container away. When Is The Best Time To Plant Shrubs & Trees To Avoid Cold Damage? When planting an azalea in a container or pot, we recommend using a quality potting soil or potting mix, or a 50/50 combination thereof. To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide by 12" deep in the planting area. Backfill with your potting soil around root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of potting soil is even with the top edge of root ball. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know regarding planting evergreen azaleas in the ground or in containers and pots... Evergreen azaleas grow in a range of soils provided the soil is well-drained, acidic, and somewhat rich in organic matter. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. How To Know The Height, Width & Size A Plant Or Tree Will Grow To At Maturity. Always check soil moisture before watering. When Is The Best Time To Plant Blackberry & Raspberry Plants? In zones where they are winter hardy containers can be left outdoors year round. When planting in heavy clay soil it's a good idea to add organic matter or soil amendment to loosen the clay and improve drainage. When planted during the winter dormant season plants will require less water. More often than not, this causes soggy soil conditions that can lead to root rot and other harmful plant diseases. The wider the hole the better. In average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted azaleas every day. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. For an extra boost, to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development you can also water you newly planted azaleas with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants. When planting in fertile, loamy, well-drained but moist soil there is no need for adding a soil amendment. When planting in very sandy, quick-draining soil you might want to consider mixing in some top soil, peat moss and/or compost to help retain moisture. Container color will matter as well. Loam is composed of roughly 40% sand 40 % silt and 20% clay. Other Hepful Azalea Container Growing Tips, Encore Azalea Color, Size and Companion Chart >, How To Train A Wisteria Vine To A Tree Form, Wilson Bros Gardens Customer Reviews (2020), How To Make Jelly From Callicarpa Beautyberry Berries, How To Use The Plant Finder On Wilson Bros Gardens, Most Frequently Asked Questions On Wilson Bros Gardens. The berm can be removed after a couple growing seasons. When planting an azalea in a container or pot, we recommend using a quality potting soil or … Whether you're looking to spruce up a patio, porch or deck, or you live and garden in a USDA Zone too far north and too cold to grow them year round outdoors, azaleas are a great candidate for container gardens. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soils cause root rot and other plant diseases. Azaleas grow best in an acid to slightly acid soil ranging from 5.0 to 6.5 on the pH scale. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil and whether or not it's suitable for growing azaleas it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area. Wilting leaves or stem tips bending over are a sign your plant might need water. Pour a small amount of your soil mixture in the bottom of the container. Keep in mind that deep soaking less frequently is much better than splashing just a little water on your azaleas every day. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.