Azaleas

      Although there are several flowering plants that perform well in Tulsa, none compares to the azalea. They bloom first thing in the spring with some varieties lasting into late spring/early summer. Azaleas come in a variety of colors ranging from white, pink, orange, scarlet, salmon, red and lavender.

There are several groups of azaleas, with Kurumes, Satsukis, Glenn Dales and Girards being the most popular. The main point to remember is that each variety has different leaf sizes, shapes, heights and blooming periods. Azaleas are usually categorized as early, mid or late season. Kurumes are one of the early season varieties , usually blooming around the end of March to the first couple weeks of April. Glenn Dales are usually mid season varieties blooming from mid to the end of April, possibly into May. Other groups such as the Satsukis are late season varieties, typically blooming during May to early June. Of course, all bloom periods can vary from year to year depending on the weather for that particular spring.

Azaleas are also available in different heights, low medium and tall. So you might want a row of tall early blooming varieties up against the house. Then plant a row of a shorter late blooming varieties in front. This would give you multi-tier landscape with depth, and extend your overall bloom period of your azaleas.
Plant azaleas in a semi-shade to shady area. No afternoon sun! Morning sun with afternoon shade is optimum. Azaleas do not like clay soil or too sandy of soil. They need more air in the root zone than any other garden plants but at the same time, they need constant moisture supply. In other words, they need a soil that drains rapidly and at the same time retains moisture. Soils rich in organic matter have those qualities.The bed should be prepared with peat moss and top soil or compost. I recommend 75% peat moss. This provides good moisture retention, yet will drain well. After planting, apply a 2" layer of mulch. This will help hold moisture , keep the soil from drying out and heating up in the summer, and protect it in the winter.

Azaleas have a very shallow fibrous root system, so I cannot stress enough the importance of a good mulch. Which mulch you use is not so critical. Almost any mulch will do the same thing. Decide which one looks best in your home landscape. However, most people prefer a pine bark mulch, pecan hulls or pine needles since they have a slight acidifying affect.

The optimum time to prune, if needed, is after they bloom. Then begin fertilizing. I recommend Osmocote, since it will feed the entire growing season. If you do use this, be sure to check the soils pH level first. You possibly might need to correct the acidity of the soil. Azaleas prefer a pH level of about 4.5 to 5.5. This can be best adjusted by applying sulphur to lower the pH or lime if you need to raise it. Another popular fertilizer is Miracid. This does a fine job but does need to be applied every two weeks.

Quit fertilizing about the first of August. At this point the azalea needs to "harden off". This means the plant will slow down it's growing process and prepare for winter. Also at this time the plant starts setting buds. The buds will completely form during the fall, remaining tight until the following spring when it warms up. Then as soon as it is the right time to boom, they open up into a spectacular show of color.

Azaleas are one of the most popular flowering plants around Tulsa, and for good reasons. Easy to grow, evergreen plants and their profusion of colorful blooms in the spring make the azalea such a prized plant.  We can also recommend some good companion plants; such as pieris, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, hostas and astilbes.

 Below you will find the name, color and bloom time of many azalea varieties.

There is also a variety called the Encore® Azalea.  This azalea variety actually blooms early, mid & late season.  The early blooms are profuse with subsequent blooming times less profuse.  This beauty can bloom right up until the first frost! Each year more & more varieties of Encore Azalea

Last, but not least, there are deciduous azaleas.  Not as many varieties, but beautiful!

To properly plant and care for your Azaleas please refer to this article: Azalea Care