Biltmore Offers Tips for Preserving Potted Azaleas
Asheville, NC
March, 2006
So someone gave you the gift of a lovely, potted azalea this spring. Don't just leave it in the pot until it dies and then guiltily throw it out! And don't just stick it in the ground and hope for the best, either. Different types of azaleas can serve as wonderful houseplants or landscape plants when provided with the proper care.
"Often, folks don't really know how to properly care for plants they receive as gifts," said Biltmore Director of Horticulture Parker Andes. "In the spring, potted azaleas are popular and by taking a few simple steps recipients can go on enjoying them indefinitely."
In order to save your azalea, the first thing you need to do is determine whether it is cold hardy. Ideally, there will be a tag on your plant so you can simply look it up at the library or on-line. The Azalea Society of America has an informative site at www.azaleas.org. If your plant is cold hardy, then pick the perfect spot and get ready to transplant.
Fortunately, azalea roots grow close to the surface of the soil, so you won't need to dig a huge hole. As a matter of fact, if you plant them too deep, the roots will suffocate. Plant azaleas about an inch higher than they are in the pot. You can keep your plant indoors until it's finished blooming, but don't wait too long—azaleas are best planted in mid-spring after danger of frost, but before really warm weather.