When planting your azalea be sure you have the right location and conditions for your new plants to thrive.

Planting time: Spring and fall are ideal times to plant azaleas. However, if you avoid freezing and extremely hot temperatures you can plant any time of the year

Sun: Full sun to part shade. Encore azaleas will perform best with at least 4-6 hours of sun. While your Encore azalea will still grow and even bloom in shady areas they are less likely to rebloom and the blooms won’t be as prolific.

Soil: Azaleas prefer acidic soil that drains well. If you have alkaline soil, be sure to amend it. To acidify your soil amend with compost, elemental sulfur, or use fertilizers specific for acid-loving plants. Mulching with pine straw or pine bark will help over time as they begin to break down, but are not an immediate solution. To improve drainage in something like heavy clay soil, add compost and be sure to loosen up the soil well before planting.

Fertilizer: Choose a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Fertilize in late winter or early spring before flowering for best results.

Pruning: You don’t need to prune Encore azaleas, but pruning your flowering shrub after they are done blooming can help encourage bushier growth and renew an older plant. You can use pruning to control size, but don’t prune more than 1/3 of the plant for best results.