Landscape Ideas for Azaleas

Shrub Borders

• Azaleas grow on large shrubs that reach heights of up to 8 feet. Create privacy fences or shrub borders along your front walkway or around your home with azalea shrubs. The plants prefer loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower. Tilling the ground, along with adding fertilizer or compost, prepares the area for your shrubs. Test the soil with a pH test kit and make amendments when needed. Adding sulfur makes the ground more acidic.

  Sculpt your azalea shrubs with pruning shears to create the look you want for your landscape. Boxy or rounded azaleas look distinguished, but you allow the plant to grow naturally and just cut off dead leaves and branches when needed. The shrubs can also spread up to 8 feet, so choose an area that allows plenty of room for growth. Grow one main type or feature several different-colored shrubs, depending on your preference. The foliage is medium or deep green and oval-shaped, but the flowers come in many colors. The nova zembla azalea produces red flowers and it's tolerant of hot and cold weather. Dusty rose showcases pink and violet blooms, and purple splendor features dark purple flowers.

Walkways

• Plant low-growing azalea shrubs along your front yard walkway, if you would rather just add more color, without creating a shrub privacy fence. Low-growing azaleas grow up to 4 feet tall, but you can find small or dwarf varieties that grow even lower to the ground. The Girard hot shot blooms deep orange, red and purple flowers and grows up to 2 feet tall. If you like pink, plant the gumpo or Nancy of Robin Hill along your walkaway. Gumpo flowers come in pink and white, and Nancy of Robin Hill blooms pale pink and red flowers. The Komo Kulshan has dark pink flowers with a light pink center.

Pair Azaleas with Other Plants

• Pair azalea shrubs with other types of noninvasive trees or shrub species. This creates variety, while also adding privacy within your yard. Space each plant 3 or more feet apart, depending on which ones you select. Some large trees need more space. Plant your trees and shrubs in a row along the border of the house. You can also surround a large tree in the middle of your yard with low-growing azaleas.

Other Ideas

• If you don't like borders, you can also grow one or two azalea shrubs in random places throughout your yard. Feature a large azalea shrub in the center of your front or backyard and surround the border with rocks. If your yard is large, plant several types of colorful azaleas and create rock paths that take you on a tour throughout the garden. Plant grass and feature other types of flowers throughout the yard and alongside the path.