As a general statement, azaleas don’t do as well here in Charlotte County as they would further north. Our soil is generally too alkaline, and our climate is a bit too warm. However, in my travels around the county I have noticed a few azaleas in bloom and in fair condition. The plants are often cryptic and hiding in plain sight until they are in full bloom and then are hard not to notice. If you want to try azaleas in your landscape, let’s look at what can be done to provide optimum results.
First, proper azalea selection is very important. Many azaleas will not do well in our area. However, there are a few types that can adapt. Within azaleas called “Southern Indian Hybrids” look for ‘Formosa’ which has a violet-red flower color. Another popular cultivar that can grow here is ‘George L. Taber’ with flowers of white with red blotches. There are also some newer types on the market – notably the Encore® azaleas – which will thrive in this region. Even these cultivars are not going to do well on the extreme coast as they have low to no salt-tolerance, so “right plant, right place” is still the name of the game.
Proper light exposure is also important for success with azaleas. Too much shade will reduce growth and flowering – too much sun is also not good. An ideal situation is partial/dappled shade such as may be found under pine trees or morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Beyond picking an adaptable azalea and a suitable part sun/part shade site, soil conditions must be addressed. Azaleas are going to do best in an acid soil – uncommon in our residential fill soil environment. Individual azaleas can be planted in large containers using the correct soil mix rich in peatmoss to circumvent our normally high pH soils. Based on a soil test, organic amendments such as peat, compost, or pine bark will likely need to be added to an entire planting bed. This soil adjustment is so important because azaleas cannot uptake certain nutrients such as iron in an alkaline or “sweet” soil. Elemental sulfur may also be used to lower the pH according to label instructions. Keeping in mind that too much sulfur will burn plant roots, no more than one pound of sulfur per one-hundred square feet of planting should be applied at one time – apply sulfur no more than two or three times annually – again, refer to the label. If you are working with an alkaline soil, these sulfur applications will offer only temporary changes as the soil will neutralize over time back to the pH it started from. After establishment, an acid-loving plant fertilizer suitable for azaleas should be applied as per label instructions once in April and once in October. During the summer, foliar nutrient sprays can be used to deliver micronutrients keeping in mind that this material will stain concrete and stonework.
With the lack of azaleas in our area, pests that target them are few. I have seen azaleas lace bugs once or twice which cause leaf damage making the foliage appear bleached. These minute insects feed on the underside of the leaves and can be managed using insecticidal soap as per label directions.
If you can’t live without azaleas, proper plant selection and soil and light conditions must be taken into consideration to make a go of it. Azaleas – Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plants – can brighten up shady areas with seasonal color – even in Charlotte County! For more information on all types of other flowering shrubs and America’s number one hobby, GARDENING, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resource:
Brown, S. P., Ingram, D. L & Midcap, J. T. (2012) Azaleas at a Glance. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Gilman, E. F. Klein, R. W. & Hansen, G. (2023) Rhododendron x ‘George Taber’ ‘George Taber’ Azalea. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Popenoe, J., Warwick, C. R., Bourdon, J. & Norman, D. J. (2018) Key Plant, Key Pests: Azalea (Rhododendron spp.). The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
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