I'm glad you're happy with your 'surprise'...

You don't say which climate or zone you are in so hopefully it's someplace your azalea can take more sun without being damaged. Those buds that have opened now would have been set last summer so it was in adequate light for bud set then.

Just a tip - sometimes it can be a good idea to wait to do major garden renovations until you have a clear idea of how light patterns change over the seasons on unfamiliar property. My north facing back yard and deck for example are in full shade from late Oct until now. In another month, they will be almost full sun again until fall unless right up close to the house.

Oh, LOL, new here! I am in Savannah GA, 8a. Where they are now, they get solid Sunny until 2-3, then dappled sun from the pine and oak tree. I didnt know much about plants when I moved it, thought it was a boxwood! DUH! But I am happy its growing, and not dieing. They way it was planted and groomed was uh, awkward and super boxy. I have it rounding off a hard angel in my yard behind a new dogwood. The spot it was in is still pretty shady, so I am thinking of using hostas, and lower growing plants due to the windows being so low