- 1). Select a location that gets partial sun, preferably in the morning. Don't select spots where the plant will be exposed to hot afternoon sun. The site should have well-draining soil.
- 2). Cover the planting site with 3 inches of organic compost in the spring, after the last frost. Till the compost into the soil to a depth of 12 inches to improve soil drainage and nutrient levels.
- 3). Dig a hole in the planting site that is 2 feet wide and as deep as the azalea's container. Remove the plant from the container and lower it into the hole. Fill in the hole with soil and water until the soil settles.
- 4). Cover the soil around the base of the plant with 2 inches of organic mulch. Azaleas have a shallow root system that can easily dry out, and mulch helps keep the soil moist.
- 5). Continue watering once a week--more often during drought periods. Keep the soil moist to the touch but not soggy.
- 6). Remove spent flowers as they begin to fade throughout the growing season. After the bloom ends, apply an acidic fertilizer to the soil according to package directions. Repeat the fertilization annually.
- 7). Prune the azalea with pruning shears in the spring, after flowering stops. Remove any dead or damaged branches and cut any branches to retain shape. Make cuts just above a leaf or flower node.
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