Zones 4 through 10 except in desert areas. To determine your zone, see the map in
Late winter to early summer. A few bloom in mid- to late summer.
Partial shade (full sun in cool summer areas). Plants don't bloom well in deep shade.
Rich, well-drained, acid (pH 4.5 to 6.0) soil, high in organic matter and low in salts. (For more information about pH, see pH.) When planting, add at least 50 percent peat moss to the soil, and keep 2 inches of mulch around the base of the plant.
Fertilize with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants according to label directions.
How much: Apply enough water to wet the soil 1 to 2½ feet deep. To determine the proper amount of water for your soil type, see How Much Water to Apply.
How often: Water when the soil is moist but not wet under the mulch.
Prune just after flowering.
Azaleas: For a bushier plant, pinch off growing tips.
Rhododendrons: Remove dead flower trusses. Be careful not to break the new buds.
