By Allen Owings
In the world of gardening, they say that to solve a problem, you need to get to the root of it. This rings especially true when it comes to creating the ideal growing environment for Encore® Azaleas. These stunning plants, like all azaleas, thrive when provided with the right soil conditions for their root system to flourish.
If you have heavy, poorly drained soils, which often contain clay, you may need to put in some extra effort to ensure your azaleas grow beautifully. Whether you’re amending existing beds or building new ones, it’s crucial to consider the soil pH. Encore Azaleas thrive in acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5-6.0. Other plants that share similar pH requirements include gardenias and camellias. You can easily test the pH of your soil through your state’s Cooperative Extension Service soil lab at a reasonable cost. If your pH is too high, you can lower it using sulfur, while lime (preferably dolomite) can raise it.
Encore Azaleas absolutely adore raised beds. For optimal results, your landscape bed soil should consist of aged pine bark mixed with finished compost or other organic matter and/or sand. The bed should be elevated around 4 inches above the surrounding ground area. It’s important to provide rich, organic, well-drained soil for your azaleas. The higher the bed is raised, the better the drainage will be. If you live in an area with high annual rainfall, consider making even more elevated raised beds (around 6 inches).
If you’re dealing with clay soils, it’s recommended to incorporate sharp sand and organic matter. If water stands in a hole you dug after a rain event, it’s a sign of clay or poorly drained soil. While clay soils and Encore Azaleas don’t mix well, you can achieve success by following the provided recommendations. For every 6 inches of clay soil, mix in 3 to 4 inches of organic matter. Additionally, applying gypsum (calcium sulfate) at a rate of 50-100 lbs/1000 ft2 (or 5-10 lbs/100 ft2) over the bed or on top of the native soil will improve internal drainage.
On the other hand, if you have sandy or loamy soil, which are already well-drained and porous, you’ll only need to add 1 to 2 inches of organic matter for every 6 inches of soil.
Once your soil is prepared, you can enclose the beds using decorative bricks, concrete edging, ground covers, or border plants according to your preferences. It’s not necessary to have a physical or plant barrier on the edge. As long as you’ve properly prepared and mulched the soil with pine bark or pine straw, it should stay in place and not wash away during rainfall events.
All the materials you need to amend your landscape beds are available at your local retail garden centers. By having a good understanding of your soil, incorporating the right landscape amendments, and knowing your pH levels, your Encore Azaleas will reward you with gorgeous blooms that “know no season” and provide “more blooms, more often.”
