Azaleas in The Villages
 

Our landscaper told us that azalea bushes do not do well in The Villages, but I've seen some pretty nice ones in neighbors' yards. Anyone have any experience/suggestions with these plants? Thanks.

Florida Azaleas
 

This is just my personal opinion, but I don't think too many of the people calling themselves Landscapers know what they are talking about! I think they arm themselves with a lawnmower and go into business and most of us come from out of State and have to rely on someone else for help. So here goes ...........

If you are going to grow Azaleas right here in TV go to Bob Wine's Camellia and Azalea nursery in South Ocala. 2610 SE 38th St, 34480/352-629-5766. These people know what they are talking about, they sell every conceivable type of azalea and camellia and will tell you how to plant, where to plant and how to take care of the plants once they are in the ground.

There is also a NATIVE azalea which is just beautiful and Bob Wine might just have this plant.

I am transplanted from northern NH where we grew azaleas and rhododendrons without even thinking about them. Mine grew wild through my woods and flowered every spring every year. I have an azalea which I bought at a big box store when I first got here, I planted it in deep shade along with a camellia and a couple of other shade plants and it is now taller than my window and flowers several times a year. I NEVER, EVER, let my lawn guy near anything in my yard with a chain saw ........... because all they want to do is shape everything down to a neat little ball and the plant is never going to bloom if you keep cutting the poor little thing down. This need to shape everything into little balls drives me absolutely crazy! Nature should be allowed to grow and spread out and flower when it wants to, it's good for the environment, the bees, the butterflies and all the other critters that rely on healthy plants to survive.

That's my rant for the day.

I guess he never drove down Buena Vista near LSL......................there are many growing there.

My azaleas are doing quite well in shade against an east facing wall.

Madelaine says "because all they want to do is shape everything down to a neat little ball" I agree let them have their natural beauty. I have a neighbor who has pruned her bottlebrush, crepe myrtle, and oaks into balls! Go figure.

Also shaping the shrubs in square pillars with the hedge trimmers. Easy to do but very unnatural looking.

A number of years ago Eric Knudsen, The Village Landscape Manager, spoke to our garden club. The subject was plants for our area. For azaleas, he recommended George Taber azaleas and cautioned that Encore azaleas do not do well here.

Below is a link to Azalea Hill Nursery, an Ocala wholesaler. Click on "Varieties" to see pictures and learn which ones they find do well here. Scroll down on the home page to find the names of local retailers who sell azaleas they supply.

Home Page

Also helpful may be the azalea fact sheet from the U. Fl. Extension Service:

ENH37/MG019: Azaleas at a Glance

Are Goerge Tabors rebloomers 'cause what is planted in The Villages are obviously rebloomers 'cause they are putting on an awesome display now. Only though Encore re-bloomed, but could be wrong. Please inform.

Azaleas do very well here as long as they are not in complete sun all day. Morning sun better then afternoon. If you notice, all the nice colors of the azaleas on Buena Vista and Stillwater, are in shade. They seem to thrive better with some shade. I too when living in NH, grew wonderful azaleas. They loved the cold and shade

I had them in my yard for 6 years. They do extremely well in The Villages. Find another landscaper.

I was told that if they are too close to the foundation, they get too much acid.

That seems odd as azaleas are acid loving plants. Many of the Encore azalea strains do very well in The Villages. They are also more sun tolerant and hardier. That's my take anyway. They are just exquisite!!

I said the same as you but was told that there is way to much from the foundation. Who knows. And it looks like there is even a dispute on Encore Azaleas which I thought were supposed to do well here as well.

Purchase plants grown in this plant zone by experience suppliers. Azaleas do well in many parts of the country if properly selected. Happy flowering!

I agree:agree: azaleas do well in TV but just not with a western exposure. I have had luck with my encores but they don't seem to be very popular here. There are other varieties of multi seasonal bloomers. Most of the red ones around here are called Vivid.

shade
 

Our landscaper explained that azaleas need filtered sun/shade to do well.

Good grief! I couldn't agree more! :bigbow:

The compounds that leach from the edges of the slab are BASIC, not acid. They are the opposite of acid, and would tend to neutralize any acid in the soil.

If you want to see two awesome displays of azaleas, go to either Ravine Gardens state park in Palatka, FL. or Rainbow Springs SP in Dunnellon, FL.