By BJ Jarvis
Azaleas are a spectacular addition to the early spring flower spectacular showing off their masses of red, white and pink flowers from February through April.
Every year, questions about when to prune azaleas arise. This is an important question since next year’s flowers are formed at the end of this year’s blooming season. While flower buds continue to develop through summer, the longer a gardener waits to prune, the greater likelihood that next year’s blooms may be pruned off too.
One approach is to prune within four-six weeks after the bloom season. No hard-fast dates can be offered because azalea bloom season varies by cultivar and microclimates. Adjust pruning dates according to your plant’s bloom season.
Azaleas are treasured in Florida landscapes for their evergreen foliage, being used as a specimen planting, in massed borders, and as a foundation plant. One of the challenges in using azaleas as a foundation plant is they prefer acidic soils, which are uncommon close to structures. Materials used to make the foundations of our homes leach materials that increase the soil pH, so if you love azaleas plant them away from the foundation to avoid this conflict.
Azaleas also prefer shade. Now some will say that they have azaleas growing in the full sun, and they can, but azaleas will be stressed and stress attracts insects. The most common pest is azalea lace bugs, which live under the leaves sucking fluids out of them. When pruning, check for speckled or bleached-out leaves and look under the leaves for tar-like splotches. That’s the “leftovers” of their eating. The actual bug is nearly clear and hard to see without a little magnification.
Treat lace bugs with horticulture oil or Neem Oil. Pump up the sprayer well and aim under the leaves where the little critters are hiding. With good coverage and repeat application, gardeners can keep lace bugs at bay.
Find other ways to reduce azalea stress such as maintaining a 2-3 inch layer of mulch. Mulch keeps roots cool in summer and retains needed moisture. To encourage an optimum pH, pine bark mulch may help. When fertilizing, choose an acid-based fertilizer such as one labeled for camellias or Ixora.
Information on azaleas, pruning and other gardening topics are offered for free by Pasco Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership between Pasco County and the University of Florida, IFAS.
–BJ Jarvis is Horticulture Agent and Extension Director for Pasco Cooperative Extension, a free service of Pasco County and the University of Florida/IFAS. She can be reached at .
