deciduous azalea

The deciduous azalea (Rhododendron 'My Mary') should be watered once a week deeply and thoroughly. During the warmer months of spring and summer, water the azalea early in the morning so the foliage can dry before nightfall to avoid diseases caused by wet foliage. During fall and winter, reduce watering to once every 2 weeks. Make sure not to overwater, as azaleas dislike excessively wet soil. Alternatively, if the plant appears wilted or droopy, water as needed.

As a deciduous azalea, Rhododendron 'My Mary' needs plenty of sunlight to thrive. During spring and summer, it requires at least 4–5 hours of sun each day to bloom and remain healthy. During the fall, its need for sunlight decreases since deciduous azaleas lose their foliage when cooler temperatures arrive. In this season, it should receive 2–3 hours of direct sunlight each day. In the winter, the need for sunlight drops even further—its recommended the deciduous azalea receives only 1 hour of direct sunlight each day during colder months. Although Rhododendron 'My Mary' prefers full sunlight, it can tolerate partial shade, especially during the hottest times of the year.

Deciduous azalea (Rhododendron 'My Mary') should be pruned soon after flowering in late spring or early summer to maintain its shape and encourage more abundant blooms the next season. Pruning should be relatively light and should focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any stems that are overcrowding the interior of the plant. It's important to note that pruning should be focused on the smaller growth and dead branches, as heavy pruning of mature branches may damage the plant and stunt flowering. Pruning also encourages a more even shape and allows for airflow, which helps prevent fungal diseases.