Belleview Press - Columnists Blogs - Native azaleas are like swans in waiting

Location: Blogs Gardening
Posted by: Anne-Marie Conard	10/20/2006
This is a story about an ugly duckling. Not fauna, but flora. This ugly duckling can be found at a few local nurseries right now looking like dead sticks with a few crummy looking leaves. In early spring, however, this ugly duckling will have the most magnificent flowers, smell heavenly, and is a native to boot! I hope I've caught your attention because I am now going to explain why this is the best time of year to plant native azaleas. They may not be as easy to find as hybridized azaleas, but natives are well worth the effort. As usual, I went to an expert, LouRana "Lou" Harrelson of Salmon's Whole Nursery. Actually I was introduced to Lou this past spring by Floyd McHenry who has some of the most glorious native azaleas growing in his yard. In fact, Floyd specifically asked if I could go to his yard and photograph them in full bloom. Floyd McHenry recently retired from the Division of Plant Industry in the Plant Inspection Bureau. The Division of Plant Industry requires the registration of all nurseries (as well as nursery stock dealers, agents and plant brokers) and conducted inspections of nursery stock several times each year. Because of Floyd's knowledgeable care and pruning capabilities, his native azaleas are amazing so I agreed to get the word out on using this shrub in our landscapes. Native azaleas look terrible right now because they are deciduous (lose their leaves) and go dormant which, believe it or not, makes now the best time to plant. Although it is okay to plant them in the spring, native azaleas are best planted fall through winter to give them plenty of time to establish a good root system before flushing out in the spring. Lou recommends planting them in full sun to filtered shade at the same depth and at least twice as wide as the container augmenting the soil organically by using compost, any kind of oak leaves, cottonseed meal and/or peat moss. Plant native azaleas as soon as possible although they can be kept in the container for awhile as long as they are kept watered. Once planted and established, they still need to be watered several times a week. With no pests or diseases to worry about, native azaleas make a great addition to the landscape. Lou told me there may be a little fungus on the leaves if over watered. Pruning is confined to deadheading after flowering and, if desired, pruning to encourage shape since they have a tendency to be leggier than hybrids. It is best to have a lower than average pH so if you can grow blueberries, you're fine. If you don't know, have your soil tested for free through the Master Gardeners at your local extension office. Call ahead for proper procedure. There is so much more to know about native azaleas and Salmon's Wholesale Nursery so I decided to save that information for next week. In the meantime, Salmon's supplies native azaleas to several local retail nurseries so check with B & B Nursery (694-4939), Bob Wines Nursery (629-5766), Briar Patch (690-6887) or Taylor Gardens Nursery (629-0980). E-mail Ocala gardener Anne-Marie Conard at flfriendlygarden@msn.com.>

Permalink \| Trackback

Comments (0)