evergreen azalea

Evergreen azalea plants (Rhododendron 'Purple Pride') require moist soil and regular watering. During the summer months, they should be watered every day (if possible) in order to keep their soil constantly moist. During cooler months (fall/winter), they only need to be watered about once a week. Water should be applied to the soil until it is moist throughout, but never soggy or waterlogged. It is also important to water at the root zone, with minimal water near the leaves to avoid leaf spotting or other damage.

Evergreen azaleas, like Rhododendron 'Purple Pride', prefer full to partial sun. For best results, it should receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day during the spring, summer, and early fall. However, during the hottest time of year, afternoon direct sunlight should be avoided to avoid over-exposure. It is important to provide a balance of sun and shade, as this will allow for the best flowering and highest quality foliage. It's beneficial to also ensure that sun exposure is no greater than the amount of shade throughout the day.

Purple Pride evergreen azaleas should be pruned in the late winter or early spring, before the plant begins to bud. This type of azalea blooms on old wood and pruning should only occur when the plant is dormant. When pruning, you should remove any dead, broken-off, or crossing branches. You can also reduce the size of the azalea if needed to keep the plant from becoming too large. Pruning back the long new stems will also encourage the growth of new flowering buds for the upcoming season.