Azaleas not growing (fertilization, north, leaves, summer)

[icibiu]

I planted two small azalea bushes about 4 years ago, no idea what variety they are but they are white. I picked them because I see lots of other houses in the area have them and they are big and beautiful so I figured they would do well.

They have not grown at all in 4 years they are still the same small size as when I bought them. Every year they put out a few of small blooms but not the entire bush. Then they sprout a few leaves. They look pretty ratty.

What am I doing wrong and I how can I fix it? The ground where I live is VERY VERY rocky and it's very difficult to dig holes, I'm not talking little pebbles I'm talking huge rocks and the occasional boulder. I will admit I have rarely watered it or done any type of fertilization (I'm trying to get better!!)

They get sun from early morning until about 2pm. We're in a wooded area with lots of critters. Zone 6.

[jacqueg]

So you are not feeding them azalea/rhododendron food? Azaleas are lovers of acid soils. In nature, they will grow in fairly rocky ground, as long as the soil is acid.

Second, it sounds like they need more water than you are giving them, depending on which species is in their background.

And third, it never hurts to keep the ground below them topped off with an organic mulch.

But the fertilizer is what is lacking most, I think.

[icibiu]

Thanks Jacqueg! I bought some azalea/rhododendron food this weekend, I will apply some and hope for some improvement

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by icibiu

Thanks Jacqueg! I bought some azalea/rhododendron food this weekend, I will apply some and hope for some improvement

Follow the directions. And err on the side of too little fertilizer rather than too much.

This time of year, they should respond quickly - you should see a lot more new green leaves in about a month.

If you don't, then there is something else going on. Keep up with the feeding schedule, but don't feed more or more often than directed. And start looking for other reasons.

Azaleas are worth taking some care with!

[NYTom]

Are azaleas a sun loving bush or do they prefer partial sun or shade?

[azoria]

^ Depends on the azealea.

These are slow growing shrubs and a long term investment of the gardener's vision. Give them 4 or 5 years.

[Cambium]

I can attest to the azaleas needing sun. I have 2 on a north side next to the house. 5 yrs and very little growth. But they do bloom each year but they are not full or large or growing as they could be.. I do feed them but they only get an angled summer sun from 4-8pm at best. Much Less in other seasons.


Simple things to remember when figuring out what could be wrong.


Food
Sun
Soil
Water

[Mae Maes Garden]

Planted one last May...last rites are in order...not a bud or green anything in sight....grrrr.
Mae

[nuts2uiam]

I have several azaleas across the front of my home and some do extremely well and others not as well, but still really nice. In addition to the factors others have suggested, I have discovered that the ones that are shielded from the wind also do better than the ones that have more wind exposure.

[Pat Answers]

Mine died this winter.