How to grow Azalea Mollis
A hardy, deciduous perennial which comes in a rainbow of colours and is mostly petite in comparison to its cousin – the rhododendron. Prefers a sheltered location in part sun, part shade which is consistently moist but not waterlogged – the edge of a woodland border is ideal. Azalea can be planted at almost any time of year and are great for attracting bees and pollinators when in bloom between April and September (dependent upon variety). With a height and spread of between 30cm – 1.8 metre they are ideal for planting in containers if you keep them watered. Plant in humus rich soil and mulch annually with an ericaceous top dressing.
Key Information
Soil pH
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Hardiness
Where & when to plant Azalea Mollis
Azalea mollis are deciduous shrubs which begin to flower in early spring before the leaves are fully open.
Often referred to as Rhododendron mollis, for they botanically fall under the family of Rhododendrons, Azalea mollis were first developed in Holland and Belgium and bred for their heat-tolerant, show-stopping large blooms in a rainbow of colours, and stunning autumn foliage.
Azalea mollis grows slowly, with a neat and rounded habit, most cultivars reaching little more than 1.5m tall and wide in 5-10 years. They therefore make fabulous plants for the middle of the border or in large pots where they will shine.
Your chosen planting spot should be in an area where the soil is well-drained and never becomes waterlogged. Full sun or part-shade is essential for bountiful blooms and thriving plants.
Like all azaleas and rhododendrons, Azalea mollis loves to grow in humus-rich, acid soil. Planting on the edge of a woodland, or woodland border is perfect where the soil will naturally bear the right conditions. If this is not possible, then your planting hole should be amended with a thick layer or leaf-mould or ericaceous compost prior to planting, and grit for added drainage if you garden on heavy soil.
How to plant Azalea Mollis
The roots of Azalea mollis do not like to be planted too deeply so plant your young shrub with the root-ball just below the soil surface. You can place a cane horizontally over the top of your freshly dug hole to check the depth before you fill in around the edges with soil. Firm your azalea into place gently with your foot and water in well afterwards.
If you are planting your Azalea mollis in a pot, use peat-free ericaceous compost with added grit for drainage. Ensure you use a large pot which has room for your azalea to reach its final size and one which has large holes in the bottom for drainage.
What to plant with Azalea Mollis
Azaleas provide a punch of colour in late spring and early summer when they are smothered with flowers, so plant them where you will enjoy their beautiful show – perhaps near a seating area, patio, or towards the front of the border.
Azaleas make a terrific addition to a Japanese garden or planting scheme and look stunning when grown near water where their colours will be reflected on a clear day.
Due to the acidic soil needs of Azalea mollis, it is best to team them with plants which thrive in the same conditions such as rhododendrons, pieris, Liriope muscari, heathers, Japanese maples, magnolia, hydrangeas, and camellia.
Please contact our helpful and knowledgeable Customer Care Team at Hayloft if you would like any further advice for planting and caring for your Azalea mollis – we will be more than happy to help you.
How to care for Azalea Mollis
Azalea mollis are hardy to -10°C when grown in the ground, however those grown in pots risk their roots being exposed to freezing temperatures which could damage or even kill your shrub. Pot grown azaleas should be brought undercover into an unheated greenhouse or sheltered area for the winter. Or you could wrap the outside of your pot in bubble wrap or insulating material and use pot feet to raise your container off the ground.
An annual mulch of leaf-mould, ericaceous compost, or well-rotted bark is hugely beneficial for azaleas - it will provide essential nutrients and will maintain acidity in your soil as well as suppress weeds and help to maintain moisture levels. Apply a thick layer of your chosen mulch around the base of your shrubs, or on the top of your pots in autumn. Pot grown azaleas will also benefit from feeding with liquid ericaceous fertiliser. Dilute and apply according to the instructions on the bottle.
Ensure potted azaleas do not dry out in hot or dry spells of weather by watering regularly with rainwater. Tap water can be too alkaline for azaleas. Shrubs grown in the ground should not need watering once established.
Deadhead your azaleas after they have flowered to ensure your plant uses its energy to produce next year’s buds rather than seed capsules.
There is no need to prune azaleas which are slow growing and naturally form a graceful shape. However, you can remove any dead or diseased branches at any time of the year or prune long or congested branches immediately after flowering to maintain a neat shape.
When pruning, ensure you cut branches with sharp saw or pair of secateurs right back to a stronger branch and avoid leaving a stub which could be susceptible to decay.
How to propagate Azalea Mollis
Azalea mollis can be propagated by cuttings, layering, grafting, or by sowing seed. All methods take patience and time as azaleas are slow growing. However, propagating your own plants is extremely rewarding and it is always worth trying to increase your own stock or growing to share new plants with friends and family.
The easiest and most reliable form of azalea propagation is by taking semi-ripe heel cuttings in mid to late summer. Use a sharp knife to remove a cutting which is around 15cm long just below the point where leaves are attached to the stem. Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting and any flower buds.
Dip the cut end of your cutting into hormone rooting powder or gel before inserting the lower third into a pot of ericaceous compost mixed with a little grit for drainage purposes. Water the pot carefully and place it in a bright spot to take root such as an unheated greenhouse or cold frame. Check your cuttings every few days to ensure they are kept moist, watering and misting, as necessary. The cuttings should take 6-8 weeks to root. Once the roots have filled the container, pot the cutting on into a larger pot.