deciduous azalea

When watering deciduous azalea (Rhododendron 'Soir de Paris'), you should provide enough water to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant once a week, but more frequent watering will be necessary if the weather is particularly hot and dry. Water the plant deeply, soaking the entire rootball until water draining from the bottom of the pot. Use about 1 inch of water each time, and increase the amount for larger plants. During the summer months, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of wilting and water if necessary.

Deciduous Azaleas require partial or dappled sunlight to grow best. The ideal situation is to place the plant in an area that gets 3-6 hours of indirect sunlight each day, such as beneath the canopy of a deciduous tree. A location that receives afternoon shade is also ideal since the intense midday sun can be too much for the plant to handle. If the plant is kept in full sun during the peak hours of the day, it should be provided with some form of shade or protection (such as shade cloth) to help disperse the light. During the winter months, it should be kept out of direct sunlight, as this can cause leaf scorching.

Deciduous azaleas, such as Rhododendron 'Soir de Paris', should be pruned in late summer or early fall, either directly after blooming or in late summer when there is less risk of frost. Prune the plant lightly by removing up to 1-third of the growth from the quietest, older shoots. Ensure that you leave some buds and shoots at the base of each removed branch so that the plant can continue to grow. Remove all dead, damaged, or diseased shoots, and crossing and rubbing branches. Pruning can also be used to encourage a bushier, more compact growth habit.