Azaleas	or Indicates sun requirement      Full sun      Half sun      Semi-shade      Shade   Indicates Water requirement         High water requirement.     Water every 1-2 days.          Medium water requirement.     Water every 3-7 days.          Low water requirement.     Water every 7-14 days.
Description Evergreen or semi-deciduous flowering shrubs of the Rhododendron family. There are several species that vary in size from 30cm dwarfs to large 2-3m plants. Hundereds of hybrids and named varieties are available that produce flowers at different months of the year. Chosen by their different flowering periods this can assure a flower spectacular throughout the year! Flowers are single or double and available in almost every colour. Azaleas also make excellent pot plants.
Growing Azaleas are available for shady spots as well as for sunny positions. All Azaleas need an acid soil and will not grow in alkaline soil. They have a shallow root system and therefore need to be kept cool, moist and shaded especially in warmer, dryer regions. The soil around them should not be disturbed, instead a surface mulch of humus, leaf mould or well rotted compost that is maintained all year will assure success. Avoid strong manure or lime. The evergreen types will grow in almost any climate except the tropics and the deciduous types prefer cooler climates. Pests There are a number of things that can go wrong with Azaleas, they are: Insects like Aphids on young growth, Mites and Thrips can make the foliage look yellow, dry and unsightly if they infest your plants, as well as Sooty mould that sometimes follows the invasion of sapsuckers. Spaying with Confidor, Mavrik or similar will correct this problem. Leaf Gall (a thickening of leaves and flowers) and Petal blight (discolouring and disintegrating disease of the flowers) are corrected and usually avoided by removing spent or diseased flowers and by avoiding to overwater.