On Gardening
Solar Azaleas
Create a Heavenly Storm in Your Landscape By Norman Winter As spring arrives in the south first, I can tell you landscapes are lighting up with what many consider one of the best of the best azalea bloom seasons ever. This dazzling show is thanks in part to the Rhododendron austrinum or Florida flame azaleas and their hybrids like Solar Flare and Solar Glow. If you haven’t heard of Solar Flare and Solar Glow yet it’s OK; they are another incredible creation of Buddy Lee in Independence Louisiana, a horticultural hero who also brought us the Encore series of repeat blooming azaleas. You’ll find them both in the Southern Living Plant Collection and Sunset Western Garden Collection. Solar Flare and Solar Glow azaleas will mature at about 6 to 8 feet in height and 4 to 5 feet wide. They are cold hardy from zones 5 to 9 (-20) meaning much of the country can revel in their spring blooming
beauty. Revel I did, with those planted outside my office when I was with the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah. There is a sense of panic at my new house in Hamilton, Ga., and probably a lot of other places too as homeowners see azaleas blooming at the neighbors and realize we all need them, too. I’m talking I want Solar Azaleas, Encores, natives and other groups. Azaleas must have very well drained, organic-rich, acidic soil. When we get heavy rain, we want the water to drain freely. This is such a critical issue that many experts even suggest planting them high so to speak where the top one inch of the rootball is above the soil profile, and add loose, organic material around it. Azaleas are very shallow rooted plants. Considering that you are also planting high, in loose soil, you realize that azaleas are prone to drying out, especially those newly planted. Supplemental water will be
(above) Deciduous azaleas rival evergreen selections in flower power. Photos courtesy Norman Winter/TNS
(right) Orange azaleas whether Florida flame like these or hybrids like the Solar series will combine well with dogwoods and other spring bloomers.
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, May 9, 2021