Flame azalea

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spartacusaby Hendersonville, NC(Zone 7a) May 20, 2006

We recently moved to a property in western NC that has a lovely old, established flame azalea: native to this area, flowers orange, approx. 9 - 10' tall, I think it's rhodendron calendulaceum. Unfortunately, this spring it flowered only on the younger branches, a very small percentage of the plant. Can anyone suggest how I could improve its flowering? I've considered a serious pruning now that it's finished flowering, but have always heard that azaleas don't deal well with extensive pruning. Any suggestions would be most welcome, and thanks!

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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) May 20, 2006

We just leave ours alone and it always blooms well, although last year we did have to water it occasionally during the record drought we faced here. Did yours have some winter damage, or is it perhaps receiving more shade than in the past?

Guy S.

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spartacusaby Hendersonville, NC(Zone 7a) May 21, 2006

Thanks for the reply! We had lots of rain last year; and though some of the old large pines sustained damage in an ice storm last winter, the azalea has no visible damage. It is partially shaded by two ancient oaks, but always has been, I assume, since there's no sign it's ever been moved. Maybe I should just use a good acid fertilizer during the growing season, and hope for the best next year?

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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) May 21, 2006

As long as you don't see branch dieback (from weevil nibbles, wilt, whatever) and it's just the flowering that's a problem, I think I'd leave it alone until next year. But we aren't Rhody specialists here, so maybe someone else will have better advice for you.

Guy S.

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