Karen Azalea

Azaleas are known for their brilliant displays of spring, and the Karen Azalea is one of the brightest of the bunch! Revel in heavy, spring-blooming, lavender-pink, hose-in-hose flowers filled with its light perfume. Glossy, jewel-toned, green foliage will turn a handsome red hue in fall and winter. Indeed, with its showy one-to-two-inch flowers and variable foliage, this plant will impress all year round! Hardy in zones 4-8, this medium-sized azalea is one of the hardiest varieties available; it will flourish in various situations, attracting butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and a myriad of other pollinators to many different locations. It is also incredibly low maintenance. The Karen Azalea has a mounded and spreading habit that is perfect for foundation and border plantings in groups of two or more. Karen Azalea Care Preferring dappled sunlight, plant this azalea in either full sun, partial sun, or partial shade; they do exceptionally well when planted on an east or north-facing slope. Do not plant in the drip line of trees in the walnut family, as azaleas are sensitive to the chemicals they naturally produce. A moist, well-draining soil with an acidic pH of 5 to 5.5 and plenty of loamy material is ideal for this showy evergreen. Add peat moss, perlite, and pine mulch to fortify your soil before planting if drainage is a concern. During the first few weeks, water well, about two to three times a week, and then taper off to watering about once or twice a week once established. In extremely hot weather, water about every other day to keep the roots cool and hydrated. Feed it yearly with an organic slow-releasing fertilizer at the start of spring. Azaleas do not require pruning like many other floral plants. Instead, trim branches just above a set of leaves during the spring to encourage the desired shape. Avoid pruning in the winter if possible, as this may reduce the number of flowers the following spring. If you are growing a potted azalea, water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, using rainwater if available. Karen Azalea Spacing This azalea can reach a mature height of 2-4 feet and a mature spread of 3-5 feet. When planting, space individual plants 3-5 feet apart to account for the spread. If you grow this azalea in a container, choose a large container with plenty of room for root growth and drainage holes.