Does Azalea Blooms Once a Year?

Pink color of Azalea flower

Azaleas are found abundant in Japan, China and Korea, then brought to and grow well in American southern states such as Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Few of my neighbors and I have planted Azaleas (Rhododendron sp) in our yards.

Colors of Azalea flower are mainly white and pink (close or tend to red). The flowers usually blooming in February. Unfortunately, beautiful flowers fell off (dried up) soon, around March. Length of blooming no more than 4 weeks, very short of time period in my opinion.

Our Azalea just bloom once a year. Luckily, the Azaleas have bloomed for 6 consecutive years in our backyard. So beautiful. I love white than pink.

I read an article that varieties called “Encore azaleas” developed in the 1800’s could bloom twice a year, in the summer and fall. The man who developed this varieties was Robert Lee from state of Louisiana.

Lovely white flower

We fertilized Azalea at least twice a year, before blooming around the end of January and after blooming. The timing to fertilize azalea after blooming could be in the middle of summer or early fall. There are many brand names for plant fertilizer in the commercial market. You may choose whatever you want.

We use commercial “Miracle-Gro” as our plant food. It is said this brand name is suitable for plant which produces flowers such as Azaleas, dogwoods, camellias, gardenias, magnolias and orchids.

Do you know Azalea? What color of flowers do you like?