Azalea Plants Bloom During What Period?

Bloom Time

• Azaleas are spring flowering shrubs that bloom between the middle of April to the middle of May. Certain varieties bloom a few weeks earlier. Azalea flowers last for only a week or two. The hybrids referred to as encore azalea are an exception, blooming for a second time either in the summer or later in the fall. Since the plants only produce one batch of flowers per season, deadheading azalea does not encourage further blooming.

Pruning

• The best time to prune azaleas is immediately after blooming time, recommends the "Better Homes & Gardens Ask the Garden Doctor" (2010). Remove the spent flowers on both the evergreen or deciduous varieties by pinching off the blooms between thumb and forefinger at the point where they connect to foliage. Though deadheading will not produce new flowers during the current year, not doing so will reduce blooms in the coming year. When removing dead flowers, take care not to damage any younger buds at the base.

Site

• The greater majority of azaleas grow well in areas with mild, humid weather. Select a site that is not exposed to winds to help minimize potential damage from sudden temperature fluctuations during late fall or early spring. Azaleas that are exposed to wind become prone to bark splitting on stem and leaf scorch. The plants are best adapted to filtered or dappled light. A spot that receive morning sun and shade after 1 pm is also ideal.

Soil

• Plant azaleas in a well-drained, moist, acidic soil with a preferred pH of 5.0 to 5.5. The plants have very delicate roots that cannot penetrate rocky or poorly drained soils. Azaleas that are planted in existing soil without amending for right pH and drainage do not do very well, warns the University of Missouri Extension. Check the drainage in the intended site by filling a 6-inches-deep hole with water. If the water does not drain within four hours, either install drainage tiles or plant on raised beds.