Azaleas Southern Charm
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Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
-
Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
Current price
$20.00
$20.00
-
$20.00
Current price
$20.00
Southern Charm Azalea (Rhododendron 'Southern Charm')
- Botanical Name: Rhododendron 'Southern Charm' (often classified under Southern Indica hybrids, sometimes referenced as Rhododendron indicum 'Southern Charm'). This evergreen shrub is a vigorous cultivar known for its large, showy pink blooms.
- Common Names: Southern Charm Azalea, Southern Charm Indica Azalea.
- Average Height and Diameter (Spread): Typically reaches 6–8 feet tall and wide at maturity, though it can be maintained smaller with pruning (some reports list 4–6 feet in height with a similar spread). It has an upright to rounded growth habit.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to vigorous. As a Southern Indica type, it grows steadily once established, filling out nicely within a few seasons.
- Sun Requirements: Partial shade to filtered sun is ideal for best bloom color and foliage health. It tolerates full sun in milder areas but may need extra water to prevent leaf scorch; too much deep shade reduces flowering.
- Cold Hardiness: Reliable in USDA Zones 7–10 (sometimes listed to Zone 6 with protection). It handles mild winters well and is more heat- and humidity-tolerant than many azaleas, though young plants benefit from protection below 20F.
- Water Requirements: Consistent moisture is key, especially during establishment and bloom periods. Provide about 1 inch of water per week (deep watering rather than frequent shallow sprinkles) during dry spells. Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy to avoid root rot. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with supplemental irrigation in prolonged dry periods. Reduce watering in winter.
- Detailed Fertilizing Guide: Azaleas are light feeders. Apply an acid-forming fertilizer specifically for azaleas, camellias, or rhododendrons (such as 10-10-10, 12-4-8, or organic options like cottonseed meal or Espoma Holly-Tone) in late winter/early spring before new growth and again after blooming finishes in late spring. A third light application can be made in early summer if needed. Use rates of about 1–2 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft. Top-dress annually with compost or pine bark mulch for slow nutrient release. Avoid fertilizing after mid-summer to prevent tender growth vulnerable to cold. Yellow leaves may signal iron deficiency—address with chelated iron if soil pH is too high.
- Planting Guide: Plant in spring or fall for optimal root establishment. Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the soil surface. Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic amendments like pine bark, peat moss, or compost. Water deeply after planting and apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch (pine straw or bark), keeping it away from the stems. Space plants 4–6 feet apart. Gently loosen circling roots at planting time. Provide consistent moisture until well-established.
- USDA Zone: Primarily Zones 7–10, with strong performance in 8–9.