Martha Advocates for Ideal Azalea Planting Time - Her Method Explained
Loosening Up the Garden: A Guide to Growing and Nurturing Stunning Azaleas
Get ready to burst with color this spring! Garden enthusiasts like Martha are diving headfirst into planting seasons, transforming tiny backyard plots into vast acres of floral delight. This week, she and her team had their hands full, tucking over 100 azaleas, ferns, and trees into the rich soil of her farm.
Martha insists that the springtime is the ideal season to snag a couple of azaleas, as they're in full bloom — showcasing the various hues that will light up a garden design. In a recent blog post, she wrote, "Behold the vibrant splendor that graces our world in spring, and let it inspire your very own garden."
If you're seeking azaleas to add a splash of color to your landscape, consider heading down to White's Nursery in Germantown, Maryland. This nursery is notorious for its extensive selection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Martha opted for a riot of yellow, cream, and orange azaleas to brighten an area surrounding her pond, complementing the deep greens of the other perennials and trees to create a stunning scene worthy of a postcard.
But what's the secret behind growing a flourishing array of azaleas? It requires attentive care and the right conditions. Here's a rundown of recommended practices to ensure your azaleas flourish:
Get Your Hands Dirty — The Planting Process
Ryan McCallister, Martha's head gardener, led the planting process by arranging 70 orange-, yellow-, and cream-colored azaleas in their designated locations. Once in place, the soil was turned over, and each hole was twice as wide and deep as the root ball. According to Martha, making a hole of the right size is essential for fostering proper root development and drainage.
Upon removing the plants from their pots, the roots were loosened to stimulate growth. Pasang Sherpa, Martha's tree arborist, broke up the lower part of each root ball to loosen the roots and induce additional injuries that would expedite the plant's transition into its new environment.
The Pivotal Role of Fertilizers — Grow Bigger, Better Blooms
A pinch of fertilizer was added to each hole and combined with the existing soil to boost transplant survivability and promote water and nutrient absorption. After planting the azaleas at the same depth they were in the pot, Pasang carefully backfilled the hole and smoothed it out with the shovel.
It is worth noting that azaleas have shallow root systems, making them highly adaptable to spring and early fall transplants. Some types of azaleas can skyrocket up to 20 feet tall, while others kept indoors may only reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. For optimal growth, it's crucial to space azaleas evenly, placing smaller plants 2 feet apart and those 3 to 6 feet tall at least 3 feet apart.
Savor the Scent — Flowering Standouts at Martha's Farm
Among the azaleas Martha added to her garden are Appalachian Gold, known for producing enticing sweetly scented flowers with bold, golden-yellow petals; Red Pepper, with its deep red buds opening into ruffled orange blooms; and Great Balls of Fire, boasting fiery red to deep orange petals and delicate creamy yellow flowers.
Post-planting, the azaleas are watered daily for a week, then weekly until the roots take hold. They prefer a bit of morning sun and an afternoon escape from the heat or filtered light to prevent stress and minimize susceptibility to pests.
So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to embark on an enchanting journey filled with color and beauty. With these tips, your azaleas are destined to flourish and bring out the gardener in all of us!
- Martha Stewart is planting various azalea, fern, and tree species in her home garden, creating a vibrant and breath-taking display.
- In a recent blog post, Martha encourages her readers to visit White's Nursery in Germantown, Maryland, to find azaleas for their own gardens.
- The process of growing stunning azaleas involves attentive care, proper planting techniques, and the right growing conditions.
- Upon planting, a pinch of fertilizer is added to each hole to boost survivability and nutrient absorption, and the azaleas are watered daily for the first week.
- Some unique azalea varieties found in Martha's garden include Appalachian Gold, Red Pepper, and Great Balls of Fire, which produce beautiful and fragrant flowers.
- To nurture thriving flower gardens, it's essential to space azaleas evenly, provide ample sunlight, and maintain proper watering for successful growth.
