evergreen azalea

Water deep and thoroughly once a week during the warmer months if conditions are dry. Pour enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil to a depth of 6-10 inches. During the actively growing season, an evergreen azalea such as Rhododendron 'Nico' should receive about 1-2 inches of water per week. In the winter, water less frequently, but continue to water as needed to keep the soil from drying out.

Evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron 'Nico') prefer bright, indirect sunlight and should be placed in a spot with several hours of morning, or late afternoon sun. Avoid placing them in the midday sun during the hottest months of the year, as too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves and cause leaf scorch. During the cooler months, they can tolerate more direct sunlight without any issues. Depending on the time of year, 4 to 6 hours of sunlight is ideal. Because of its preference for bright but indirect light, an east-facing window is often ideal for evergreen azaleas.

Evergreen azaleas should be pruned yearly, at least once a year. Pruning is best done in mid to late spring, right after the azalea flowers fade. Pruning should be done as soon as possible after flowering has finished, as the longer you wait to prune the more new growth you will be removing. When pruning, look for any dead, damaged, or diseased branches and remove them. Cut the remaining stems back to about 2/3 of their length, or the point at which the leaves begin. This will help create a bushier growth and fullness in the shrub. Avoid pruning more than 1/3 of the shrub at a time as this can lead to stress.