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glamagrrl78

Help choosing azaleas

8 years ago

Hello, I am a new homeowner, and very excited to plant in my yard this year. I live in Baltimore City, which is zone 7, I think. We seem to have very good soil, since most of my neighbors have beautiful gardens. The front yard is partial shade, very sunny in the afternoon/evening and north facing. I would really like to have three colors of azalea in front along the wall, a bright orange, a bright fuchsia, and a bright purple or pink. There seems to be no end to different varieties I can find online, but it's hard for me to know the colors, since so many photos are enhanced. I'm hoping that someone on here has good pictures of some BRIGHT beautiful azaleas, and can tell me the names of them. Thanks so much!


Comments (5)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Will they be next to each other? If so, I think they will make more of an impact if they are the same color. Multiply colors could look chaotic. Maybe this will help-

    https://www.encoreazalea.com/garden-advice/article/the-1-2-3-approach-to-color

  • 8 years ago

    Color taste is very personal, so use what color combos you like. However, larger masses of color make more impact than small splotches of color, so either use multiples of smaller plants, or choose larger plants.
    Here is a blog post about the azaleas at the National Arboretum DC. Notice how the areas with more smaller areas of color don’t make as much impact as larger masses. Scale this idea to suit your taste and your yard.

    Rather than ask here for suggestions, now is the time of year to visit good nurseries to see what is available in your area. There are about 10 bizillion types of azaleas, and if you go looking for a particular variety suggested here, you may not be able to find it. Instead, consider going to good local nurseries to see what they have available along with something to take notes and a phone or tablet to look up info about particular cultivars, and then choose from what is available locally. Look them up on sites such as arboretums or university ag sites since tags often give size at 5 years. Check bloom time as well as size to find ones that suit what you want.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Yes, if you are going to be buying locally you will be limited to what the outlets you patronize are stocking at this time anyway - no point in getting excited about something you are told about here if it happens you can't find it there.

    Unless you are willing to order off the web. With this being kind of a poor time for that, what with them making new growth and being in flower - or soon to flower. So that being boxed and shipped much distance could be somewhat problematic - unlike at a time when the tops are mature, with nothing new and delicate present.

  • 8 years ago
    I ended up finding this Gibraltar deciduous azalea at the local nursery. It started blooming a couple of days after I planted it and I just love it! I think instead of getting another one in another color, I’m going to get a second one. Thanks everyone for your input! I think this is going to look beautiful with the Cherokee brave dogwood I’m planting in front.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I would remove that entire strip of grass across the front from one set of steps to the other, and add mulch and perhaps a few other perennials or small shrubs. Azaleas and Rhododendrons are shallow rooted and like even moisture but not damp soil. Grass tends to compete with the shallow roots of rhodies and azaleas, so removing a minimum of a couple of feet on all sides will help, but nestling into a bed with other plants will really show this shrub off to its best advantage. Remember to give it room to grow, so it should be at least 2 1/2’ from the building and from other plants except for ground covers since it can get to 4’-5’ wide and a foot or so taller. You’ve chosen a beautiful plant.

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