Experienced grower's notes on Azalea

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Azalea remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is watering in dry spells in the first two seasons after planting. Everything else follows from that.

dieback from harsh winters on marginally hardy varieties is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a wildlife garden with berrying and nectaring shrubs for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. multi-season interest from flowers, berries, bark, and autumn colour is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. summer flowering on the current season's growth is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.