If you’re trying to grow azaleas, you’re probably asking this question: How long do azalea bushes bloom? Before we get into that, you need to know more about this evergreen shrub.
Azaleas: The Basics
Countless gardening enthusiasts love azaleas because their presence can bring any garden to life. With their healthy and glossy green foliage and their brightly colored blooms that come in a variety of petal shapes, this type of rhododendron serves as one of the heralds of spring.
Although this favored garden guests come in many kinds, not all varieties can grow in the same region. However, as long as you choose the right tup of azalea variety, soil, as well as weather, and watering conditions, you can be sure that your azaleas will have what they need to thrive well and produce lots of flowers for months.
Among their distinguishing characteristics are their glossy, deep green-colored leaves that have small hairs on their surface. Furthermore, azaleas also feature single flowers instead of clusters.
Factors to Consider When You’re Growing Azaleas
Azaleas might be pretty, but if you’re not so sure about the factors you have to consider when you’re growing them, you won’t be able to make the most out of these plants.
Factor #1: They need a little love to get the best color
Azaleas may be one of the most reliable plants in your garden, but if you want them to show off their best colors and keep on producing the flowers you love, you need to give them some TLC. You can have the most blooms if you make sure that they get enough sun and get watered properly and on a regular basis.
Factor #2: The weather can influence their growth
Did you know that the weather conditions play a critical role in the bloom of your azalea? In case you’re not aware, the number of flowers they produce and the length of time they produce them are greatly affected when the temperatures dip. Expect their actual bloom dates to vary about a week or two.
The warmer the weather, the earlier their blooms erupt. What’s more, azaleas planted in these warmer areas bloom again in the fall.
Factor #3: There are over 900 species of them
You might be surprised to know that while azaleas have more than 900 species out there, you can find over 20,000 hybrids of Rhododendron spp., as well as azaleas. These all come in various shapes and sizes.
You can find azaleas that are both tall and spiky or bushy and small. They could look like they hug the ground or they could produce waves of gorgeous flowers dotting its canopy of deep green foliage.
How Long Do Azalea Bushes Bloom?
Generally, an azalea plant produces spectacular blooms for a period of three weeks during springtime. However, other types of azaleas also show off their gorgeous flowers during the summer depending on the region where they grow, as well as the weather.
In maritime and mild climates, the flowering season for azalea plants can be extended up to a period of seven months. On the other hand, azaleas that are planted in colder climates tend to have a shorter blooming time which could only range between three weeks to three months.
It’s best to select a type of azalea that blooms well during the milder months of the area where you plant them. To make this happen, make sure that you feed your azaleas with a balanced 15-15-15 fertilizer. In case you’re wondering, azalea plants will do well if they get more nitrogen.
Grow Your Precious Plants in a Mini Greenhouse!
If you don’t have enough space in your backyard, you might want to grow your plants in a mini greenhouse. Greenhouse gardening offers you loads of benefits that can help you take your gardening experience to the next level! Here are some of them:
Protection against bad weather conditions
Since a mini greenhouse is an enclosed space, you won’t have to worry about your plants when Mother Nature unleashes her fury. While other traditional outdoor gardeners get caught up making emergency preparations to ensure their plants’ safety, you can just sit back and wait for the storm to pass.
It keeps the pests and vermin away
Having a mini greenhouse can be a huge plus when it comes to protecting your plants from different types of destructive insects and animals. Your mini greenhouse serves as a barrier between your indoor garden and the pests.
You can control your plants’ growing environment
Creating an optimal growing environment for your plants will be much easier for you if you keep them in a mini greenhouse. Controlling the temperature, heat, and humidity levels inside the enclosed space won’t be difficult for you. What’s more, you can also choose to introduce beneficial insects to your garden to help your plant babies thrive well.
Extended growing seasons
With a mini greenhouse, you can effortlessly extend your plants’ growing seasons. It allows you to grow certain types of plants that aren’t native to your area.
Conclusion
Now that you finally know the answer to “How long do azalea bushes bloom?”, you might want to experience the wonderful benefits of greenhouse gardening today!