Azalea Plant Profile

Azalea Plant Profile

Azaleas are flowering shrubs that are members of the Rhododendron genus. They are native to North America, Asia, and Europe. Their flowers dazzle in shades of shimmering pinks and pale peaches to deep reds and pure white. Evergreen azaleas are in the subgenus Pentanthera and deciduous azaleas are in the subgenus Tsutsutsi. They are generally hardy to USDA zones 6-9, though there are a few cold-hardy varieties available as well.

You can put together collection of early-, mid-and late-season blooming varieties and have an azalea flowering in your garden for six months or more… and with the newer re-blooming varieties, the flowering season can extend practically all the way through the year.

Plant them in the fall or early spring in a part-sun location where they can attain their full size and you will never need to prune them. They do not love to be in hot afternoon sun and prefer an acidic soil, but basically they are low-maintenance and rewarding shrubs that can live over 100 years.

If you do wish to prune them, do so right after they finish flowering, so you don’t cut off next year’s buds. Remove dead or damaged branches at any time of year.

A mulch of pine bark, pine needles, or wood chips helps to keep moisture in the ground, even out changes in the soil temperature, and keep weeds out. Fertilize azaleas after their spring bloom using a slow-release, acid-loving plant food and water the fertilizer in well. 

Azaleas are easily propagated from cuttings or by layering. Species azaleas can also be grown true from seed .

Pollinators love azaleas. In particular, white-blooming kinds attract nighttime moths and red-blooming ones attract hummingbirds.

Azaleas are long cherished as symbols of spring and renewal. They are extremely popular landscape plants due to their brightly colored blooms, long-lasting flowers, and their ease of cultivation. 2026 is the Year of the Azalea and April is Azalea Month. Find out more about azaleas at the Azalea Society of America website:  https://azaleas.org/.

Azaleas – you can grow that!

2026 is the #yearoftheazalea

And #AprilisAzaleaMonth

Benjamin Y. Morrison, the famed horticulturalist who was the founder and first director of the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC, is noted for cross-breeding different strains of azaleas to produce the Glenn Dale cultivars, which are prevalent today throughout the eastern United States. Morrison lived in Takoma Park, MD, and many of his Glenn Dale introductions can be seen throughout the city’s private home gardens and public parks.

You don’t want to miss the seasonal display of azalea in mass plantings at the U.S. National Arboretum. See our list of 20+ more top viewing spots in the Washington, DC, region on our blog at WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com (https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/04/top-local-spots-for-azalea-viewing-best.html).

Updated from a previous version.

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Aicha Bangoura

 

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Aronia: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/05/aronia-chokeberry-plant-profile.html

~ Carolina Allspice: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/05/carolina-allspice-plant-profile.html

~ Mock Orange: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/03/mock-orange-plant-profile.html

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Monday Thoughts: "Every child needs to learn how to cook, learn how to cultivate a garden and plant seeds, learn about sustainability, be taken to a garden and be able to put their hands in the earth." ~ Alice Waters

"Every child needs to learn how to cook, learn how to cultivate a garden and plant seeds, learn about sustainability, be taken to a garden and be able to put their hands in the earth." 

~ Alice Waters

GardenDC Podcast Episode 283: Discovering Garden History at Tudor Place

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with horticulture manager Ella Engstrom about the garden history of Tudor Place. The plant profile is on Canterbury Bells and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Dividing Rhubarb" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 24: Monticello

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-24-peggy.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 78: Dumbarton Oaks

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-78-dumbarton.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 241: Lost Trees and Climate Activism

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-241-lost-trees.html

Show Notes will be posted after 4/28/2026.

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Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Fenton Friday: Bunny Invasion

 
This week was another week of hardly any rain, but instead of record heat - we got an overnight freeze! I had covercloths over all the tender seedlings and everything seemed to pull through fine.I was worried about the flowers getting zapped on the strawberries and blackberries--they look like they are setting fruit and will be okay.

We came to the plot to water and weed today (with temps in the 80s!) and a grown rabbit ran out of the garlic chives and took off across the garden. Then, a few minutes later a baby rabbit ran INTO the plot and hid himself against my fish fertilizer jug (see photo above). I wanted to evict him, but the stinker is too darn cute, so I Iet him stay. He and his mom were likely the ones who ate all my Pea seedlings. I planted new Sugarsnap Peas today and put more wire cages around them to protect them.

I harvested Asparagus, Cilantro, and some Lettuce. The bed shown at right is pre-weeding with the covercloth pulled back. You can see the Cut-and-Come-Again Lettuce in the middle and the Cilantro (already setting flower!) to the right. On the left, is a row of Potato seedlings that are popping up from last year's crop. (Is it just me or do you never, ever get find all the potatoes at harvest time?) I will let them stay and may add some more potatoes in there as the greens there will soon give out in the summer heat.

The Kale and Lettuce seedlings are doing fine. The Radish and Carrot seedlings are not up yet so I may sow new seeds soon.

Dill seedlings have popped up were I had a row of dill plants growing last year. We weeded out most of the dill seedlings, but left a few, and cut back a Mulberry tree that keeps trying to come up there.

In the pollinator strip, the Poppy seedlings are growing quickly. I also really need to weed there--that will have to wait until I get some time next week between garden tours and festivals.

This weekend, we have a booth at the FONA Garden Fair--please come by and see us there!

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

Bloodroot Plant Profile

Bloodroot Plant Profile

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a perennial plant that is native to the eastern half of North America.It is also known as Redroot, Bloodwort, Canada Puccoon, Red Puccoon, Black Paste, and Indian Paint. The common names derive from the fact that Native Americans used the red juice from the roots and stems of the plant as a dye and insect repellent.

It has a short-lived, white flowers in early spring and the foliage is lobed and stays in a short mound.

It is hardy to USDA zones 3 to 8. It is a member of the Poppy family.

Bloodroot prefers to grow in part- to full-shade in well-drained, humus-rich soils.

The seeds of the plant are dispersed by ants. The plant can also spread and form a nice groundcover under trees.

This woodland plant is a spring ephemeral – meaning that it will go dormant and disappear by mid-summer, similar to cyclamen. It is best to move or divide it just before its summer dormancy.

Bloodroot is pollinated by native bees.

It is deer-resistant due to toxic alkaloids in the leaves and roots.

Bloodroot: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Additional Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Supplemental photos from Wiki Commons

 

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Trout Lily Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/trout-lily-plant-profile.html

~ Virginia Bluebells Plant Profile

 https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/04/plant-profile-virginia-bluebells.html

~ Spring Beauty Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/plant-profile-spring-beauty-claytonia.html

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Monday Thoughts: "He plants trees to benefit another generation." ~ Caecilius Statius

"He plants trees to benefit another generation." ~ Caecilius Statius

GardenDC Podcast Episode 282: Growing a Perpetual Food Garden

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with expert gardener Charlie Nardozzi about his new book, The Continuous Vegetable Garden*. The plant profile is on Bloodroot and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "A Growing Gardener" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

*You can order Charlie's book at https://amzn.to/42e8I34. This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we main eran a few pennies from these sales, but it wil not impact your purchase price.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 124: Raised Bed Gardening with Joe Lamp'l

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-124-raised-bed.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 110: Self-Sowing Plants

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-110-self.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 186: Planning Your Vegetable Garden

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-186-planning.html

Show Notes will be posted after 4/28/2026.

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Order at https://amzn.to/42e8I34*

Fenton Friday: April Heat Wave

This week was another weather rollercoaster with no rain and record-setting heat mid-week in the 90s! This is insane to think of in mid-April in the DC-area. I was away touring gardens with the Azalea Society of America in Athens, Georgia, and it was hot down there, but it was hotter here!

I did not anticipate the weather would be so extreme, so I didn't bother to ask anyone to water or watch over the plot. As soon as I got home yesterday, I ran over and watered all the seedlings and was grateful to see the covercloths I put in place had helped a bit. 

A few of the Asparagus spears had shot up to several feet high, so I cut them off and put them in the compost pile. Then I was able to harvest several smaller spears too for dinner. 

The 'Seascape' Strawberry plants are settling in and starting to flower -- as are the Blackberries (see pic above). These early flowers hopefully mean a nice harvest of early fruits.

The Kale, Peas, Lettuce, and other seedlings are doing fine.

In the pollinator strip, soon we need to thin the seedlings for both the California Poppies and the Wildflower Mix -- and to weed! However, that will have to wait until I get some time next week and the weather cools off.

Next week, we will plant any herbs or other veggie starts that we purchase at the Franciscan Monastery Graden Guild's plant sale -- we will have a table there all day on Saturday, 4/18. Please come by and see us there!

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

English Daisy Plant Profile

English Daisy Plant Profile

English Daisies (Bellis perennis previously known as Aster bellis, Bellis hortensis, and Bellis pumila) are cool-season annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials -- depending on your local climate. The red, white, or pink daisy blooms of this plant are cute and round with yellow centers.

They have a number of common names including Bairnwort, Bone Flower, Bruisewort, Common Gowan, Dog Daisy, Double Daisy, Goose Flower, Herb Margaret, Lawn Daisy, Marguerite, May Gowan, Noon Flower, True Daisy, and Woundwort.

They are also called “Day’s eyes” because they open at dawn and close at dusk.

They are native to Europe and are hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 8.

They prefer to grown in full sun-to part-shade in well-draining, rich soil.

English daisies are heavy feeders and benefit from using a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer. 

They like consistent moisture. If they don't receive enough water, English daisies will wilt. 

English Daisies grow to about 6 inches high and wide.

English Daisies are a great addition to spring containers, rock gardens, or borders in early spring along with other cool-season annuals such as Snapdragons and Alyssum.

English daisies will reseed themselves in cooler climates. In warm climates, you can start them from purchased or collected seed. 

English daisies are used in herbal healing for a number of ailments from sunburn to gastritis.

They are an early nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators.

They are deer-resistant.

English Daisy: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Additional images from Wikimedia Commons.

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Shasta Daisy Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/08/shasta-daisy-plant-profile.html

~ Fleabane Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/05/fleabane-plant-profile.html

~ Sweet Alyssum Plant Profile  

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2019/11/plant-profile-sweet-alyssum.html

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