sweet azalea

Water sweet azaleas deeply once a week when the soil is dry to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Water slowly and thoroughly so that the entire root system can be moistened. Even though sweet azaleas prefer moist soil, avoid getting the foliage wet when watering as foliage diseases can occur if plants remain wet for long periods. To help conserve water and prevent foliar diseases, water in the early morning so foliage can dry quickly before nightfall.

Sweet azaleas (Rhododendron arborescens) need direct, full sunlight for at least 6 hours a day in order to thrive and produce an abundance of flowers. This should include at least 4 hours of full sun in the early morning and 2 hours of direct sun in the afternoon. During times of intense heat, especially in summer months, it is best to provide some shade for the plant to protect it from burning. Sweet azaleas can tolerate light shade, however, the amount of flowering will be reduced in shadier conditions.

Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) should be pruned when the plant is actively growing in late spring or early summer. Dead, diseased, or damaged branches should always be pruned first. When pruning, leave 1 to 2 inches above the bud to prevent cutting off too much and to allow for growth. Pruning should be done judiciously to preserve the natural shape of the plant. Depending on the desired effect, about 1-third to 1-half of the branches should be removed. Pruning back In order to promote new growth, you can also prune branches back to a suitable bud. This will encourage branching and flowering. For sweet azaleas, light pruning is recommended. Severe pruning can damage or even kill the plant.