Helping azaleas survive climate

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 341, 26 June 1990, Page 12

Helping azaleas survive climate

I have recently read some interesting articles on the successful growing of the lovely evergreen azaleas, which include the A.indica varieties and their slightly hardier relatives the kurumes which can sometimes suffer from the extremes of climate in this area being burned by hot summer sun or suffering bud and flower damage from hard winter frosts. Given the right con- able to grow these ditions we should all be lovely plants quite suc-

by

Bea

Barnes

cessfully, in fact many of our local gardeners do so. The first and most important requirement is a semi shaded position afforded by taller deciduous trees or

shrubs offering some protection from the heat of the sun in summer and from severe frost in winter. The Soil should ideally be open in texture, acid in content and free

draining. It should not dry out too much in summer or become waterlogged in winter. The latter requirement would defeat our garden from the start. After weeks of continual rain even the

worms are swimming. However, problems are there to be overcome and this can quite easily be remedied by raising the level of the soil by the addition of a good supply of humus. Peat, leaf mould, well weathered untreated sawdust, old straw or well rotted vegetation (not weeds) can all be used. The material should be dug well in to open up the soil, and the level of the bed raised at least 30-45 centimetres, this will help to improve the drainage and the material used will also help to improve the acidity of the soil. Should clay be a problem add a generous supply of river (not builder's) sand to break up the clay content. When the bed is raked ready for planting apply a liberal scattering of aluminium sulphate or plain sulphur across the surface of the bed. Plant or transplant your azaleas and give a little extra dressing of aluminium sulphate around the plants. Pay particular attention to watering during very hot weather never allowing the ground to dry out and you will grow lovely azaleas. For the best results invest in good quality well furnished plants grown in open ground conditions. These will settle in much more quickly and give a good flowering performance. The range of plants from which to choose grows larger each year and there are some lovely colour variations. A few examples of the range as follows: 'Bit O' Sunshine', a kurume, very compact growing, with small single or 'hose in hose' flowers in a soft light red. 'Hose in hose' is the effect of one flower growing out of another. 'Dancing Doll', another kurume, early to mid season flowering in a

rich salmon pink. 'Rosebud', a hybrid compact growth, upright with bright light green foliage and triple 'hose in hose' flowers in a deep rose pink. 'Purple Glitters', a nuccio hybrid, low spreading bushy habit with grey green foliage and masses of violet purple flowers with bright red stamens. 'Scarlet Prince', a kurume of vigorous compact habit with bronze green foliage and bright fiery red flowers 'hose in hose' with painted petals. 'White Rosebud', a kehr hybrid, white rosebuds open to 'hose in hose' double white flowers with a chartreuse throat. Light yellowish green foliage darkening in summer.