Gardening

Contemplating the Azalea

By Bess Taylor

When azaleas begin to bloom we know we’re pretty much beyond the grasp of frosty mornings and we may heave a great sigh of relief that consistently mild days of spring are back once more. This year the masses of brightly colored trumpet-shaped azalea flowers began to open quite early- in late April rather than their usually scheduled May kickoff date. I associate azaleas with May and recall making May baskets as a kid, brimming with the bounty of azaleas from the garden behind my childhood home.

The azalea is a very popular plant in our area because we are lucky enough to have a climate that suits most varieties (and there are many of them) very well. According to the latest growing zone revisions released in 2003, Fauquier County sits squarely in Zone 7 and a majority of azaleas will do well in zones 6 through 9, provided that they have loose soil and some protection from strong winds and hot afternoon sun. This area is prime azalea real estate.

The key to growing these spectacular shrubs is to remember that all azaleas are actually rhododendrons. The rhododendron is a woodland plant, and likes the sort of dappled sunlight that a light canopy of trees might provide. “Rhodies” also like open, compost-rich soil, like that found on a forest floor. They have very fine root systems, which need to be moist enough not to dry out, but not so wet that they become waterlogged and drown. Other than that they are fairly tough. Occasionally they may be bothered by thrips or spider mites and sometimes the humidity may bring on a case of leaf rust, but these things can be managed if caught early.

Azaleas come in a vast assortment of colors, shapes and sizes. Many are evergreen but some drop their leaves in winter. They don’t require much in the way of pruning. Some people like to shear them into mounds, but that is neither necessary nor particularly healthy for the plant, as it stimulates a density of leaves at the branch tips thus starving the interior branches. The most that azaleas really need is a light trimming after the flowers are done, and even then not necessarily every year. If allowed to grow naturally, azaleas create lovely silhouettes that resemble fountains, waterfalls and low umbrellas- cascades of dazzling colors that wash any remaining traces of the winter blahs far, far away.

Some displays of azaleas are stately; they can be grouped in tastefully chosen clouds of white, peach and lavender to accent trees or statuary. Other displays are wild, like crazy quilts of red, orange, pink and purple unfurled along a garden path. Sometimes the show is positively gaudy, but what the heck- it’s only for a month once a year. Azaleas are like party dresses. One can go as classical or flamboyant as one’s personality dictates.

I only have a white one and a yellow one in my yard so far, but I think I’m ready to try more. All I have to think of is what color combinations to try and where they might best be situated. This is the sort of contemplation perfectly suited for a May afternoon that’s too marvelous to spend indoors. When I can sit perfectly still in a garden with barely any mosquitoes or humidity yet, the sun tingling on my arms and legs, the birds calling out their territorial arias, with nothing more pressing on my mind than what azalea would look best where, my mind is at rest, if only for a few minutes, in a state of gardening nirvana. After such refreshment of the soul I can face just about any task knowing that there is still beauty, wonder and possibility in this world.