| The
Plant:
|
Encore Azalea® are
similar to traditional azaleas in that they require proper planting,
watering and care to thrive in their new home. Here are a few simple
guidelines to help your new plants grow to their fullest potential.
|
| Sun
Exposure:
|
Encore Azalea® perform best in
full sun to light, filtered shade. A minimum of four to six hours
of direct sunlight per day is required for proper blooms. Care
must be taken to prevent exposure to drought or other heat related
stress conditions associated with full sun exposure. Mulch well
around the base of the plant to cover roots, hold in moisture, and
protect root ball from sun. Encore Azalea® are versatile and will
adapt in a partial shade situation, preferably an afternoon shade.
However, too shady an area can result in skipped or significantly
reduced bloom cycles.
|
|
Preparation:
|
Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and
fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good
drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the
drainage in your bed. You may have to take corrective action, perhaps by
establishing a raised bed. A soil sample is always a good idea. Azaleas
are acid-loving plants, so optimum PH levels in the soil should be
between 5.5 and 6.5.
|
| Planting:
|
Turn the soil well and dig a
hole twice as wide as it is deep. Mix some organic compost or peat moss
with the soil. (This is especially important if you have sandy or heavy
clay soil.) Remove your Encore Azalea® from its container and carefully
but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you’ve
prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is above the soil level.
Pull your soil around the plant, water thoroughly and cover with mulch.
|
| Spring
& Summer
|
Water your Encore Azalea® well
when you first plant it, and keep the soil moist until winter. New
azaleas will die quickly if the soil dries excessively. Your new Encore
Azalea should not need regular watering after the first year unless
there are periods of excessive drought. Fertilize with the recommended
levels of azalea feed soon after planting. Do not fertilize after
August. This fertilizing schedule is highly recommended for areas with
sandy soils.
|
| Fall
& Winter
|
Encore Azaleas® do well when
they are planted at this time. New roots produced in the fall will help
the azalea flourish in the next growing season. Although less watering
is necessary, do not allow the roots to become dry. Cover your young
azalea with insulating covering when extreme cold weather approaches. As
your Encore Azalea® matures, it will need less winter care. Do not
fertilize until after the last frost. When you do fertilize, use azalea
feed as directed. This fertilizing schedule is highly recommended in
areas with sandy soils.
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| Pruning:
|
Encore Azaleas® require
very little pruning to retain good form and do not need
"dead-heading." If you think your Encore Azalea® needs
pruning, do so immediately after the spring flowering for maximum bud
set. Light pruning of more established plants will stimulate
growth and flowering.
|
| Spacing:
|
Encore Azaleas® should be
planted the same width apart as the mature dimensions specify. This
measurement should be taken from the center of one plant to the center
of the other. For example: Autumn Angel's mature dimensions are 3 feet
wide. In order to have mature Autumn Angel Encore Azaleas bunched next
to each other, you should plant them 3 feet apart, starting at the
center of one plant and measuring to the center of the other. If you
would like space between your azaleas, you should separate them by more
than the mature width dimensions.
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