Azaleas, Selecting and Buying

Be sure to examine the plants as carefully as possible. One area that may not become evident is the root system. When taking from the container check to see if the plants have plenty of live, light tan or white roots.

One of the most perplexing questions facing the prospective buyer of azalea plants is "What shall I buy?" To answer this question requires more than one answer.

The Kurume…

The Kurume, or so-called Dwarf Azaleas, are commonly available in many colors and will grow to about 5 - 6 feet in length and spread and produce flowers around April 1st to 15th in this area. Indica or Indian Azaleas are the large-flowered types that bloom just a few days after the Kurumes. Indian Azaleas such as "Pride of Mobile" or "Formosa" are not cold hardy. Unless you have a protected place you will be wise to steer clear of these.

Glen Dale Hybrids…

Glenn Dale Hybrids, depending upon variety, will bloom all the way from the first bloom to the last. The mid-season bloomers are popular. Other selections may be the native azaleas, the Kaempferi Hybrids, Gable Hybrids and the Satsuki types. Some of the latter are hardy while some may not be. Check out the variety before you buy.

Once you've determined the type…

Selecting the individual plant is of paramount importance. Do not necessarily select the tallest or largest plants. Look for plants that are full of many stems with plenty of healthy foliage in the case of the evergreen types. When selecting deciduous, (those that lose their leaves) look for several plump stems.

Be sure to examine the plants as carefully as possible. One area that may not become evident is the root system. When taking from the container check to see if the plants have plenty of live, light tan or white roots. If dark brown or black, limp and sparse—beware! These are symptoms of cold damage or root rot disease.

For more information on selecting and buying azaleas, contact your local County Extension Office.