The variety of pink, red, purple, yellow and white flowers is just too nice to ignore and being a hardy perennial shrub, they can go it alone without too much care from us gardeners. They give so much in the garden for such little effort, meaning azaleas are a gardener’s must-have.
Azaleas grow happily in well-drained ericaceous compost and soil, preferring this to alkaline and neutral compost and soils. They can grow in sun and shade, with a part-sun sheltered spot being ideal for them.
The flowers return year after year and tend to look more flower-heavy than green foliage when they do.
The best time to plant an azalea is in spring or autumn. If in pots, we need to ensure that they are watered regularly, especially during dry spells.
You can also give them a feed each year with an ericaceous feed. This will give the ground and compost a boost, and in turn, the plant should thrive.