I am trying to find an azalea that will tolerate Zone 6 winters and clay soils that tend to be alkaline. It might be a lost cause, but I was hoping someone could suggest a breed that might be able to survive such anti-azalea conditions.

I have seen a few azaleas growing in the area. I stopped and asked one homeowner whose yard showcased a massive specimin what he did to winterize his plant. He told me he did nothing more than mound leaves around the base of the plant in the fall. Evidently this trick does double duty as it both insulates the plant during the winter months, and, as the leaves break down into the spring, it raises the acid content of the soil and acts as a pre-bloom fertilizer.

I have also been told that scattering coffee grounds around the base of the plant will help raise the acid content of the soil. Is that a good idea? I wouldn't want to do anything to jeapardize the plant.