A New Azalea Garden
Another beautiful garden of interesting and colorful plants is growing at my Bedford, New York farm.
Earlier this spring, I decided to design a new garden along one side of the carriage road between my Summer House and my stable. I wanted to add colorful azaleas - a variety of unique specimens in shades of pink, orange, crimson and white. I already have many azaleas growing and flourishing in this area, but I wanted to expand the collection. First, we planted about 170 azaleas on one side to the carriage road, and then another 200 on the other side. I am so excited - it will look so beautiful in the coming years.
Enjoy these photos.
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- It was such an exciting morning when we unloaded all these gorgeous azaleas. Many of them came from White’s Nursery in Germantown, Maryland. White’s Nursery specializes in azaleas as well as rhododendrons. It has more than 350 varieties of evergreen azaleas such as Glenn Dale, Bowie Mill, Satsuki, Robin Hill, and many others. In addition, there is a wide selection of deciduous and native azaleas, and some fragrant varieties.
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- We picked them up the day before in my large trailer – big enough to accommodate more than 200 azalea plants.
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- Before any planting could be done, my gardeners sorted the plants and arranged them by color and variety.
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- Then, Ryan and Brian placed them strategically along the carriage road – keeping like colors together and always keeping the plant’s mature size in mind. Azaleas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light. Hot all-day sun can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests.
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- These azaleas are planned for the east side of the carriage road down to the stable. A few weeks ago, we planted another huge amount of azaleas along the west side of the same carriage road. Eventually, this section of the farm will display an allee of stunning azaleas all the way down the road from my Summer House.
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- Some of the plants are already blooming. Here is a colleciton of pink azaleas getting ready to move up the road to the tree peony garden in one of our Polaris vehicles. They will be perfect additions to this bed where I already have many azaleas.
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- By afternoon, the crew starts to plant. First a hole is made at least twice the size of the root ball about to be planted. Azaleas thrive in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter.
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- We like to use an organic starter for newly transplanted specimens. This microbe-enhanced plant food nourishes the soil for abundant growth. I always use an all-natural fertilizer to aid transplant survival and increase water and nutrient absorption.
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- A good handful is dropped into every hole and mixed with the existing soil.
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- Brian uses a hori hori to scarify the roots of this specimen. A hori hori is a Japanese-inspired tool with a double-edged, rust-resistant blade that’s serrated on one side and sharpened on the other. It is great for cutting through tough roots. Scarifying stimulates root growth. Essentially, Brian breaks up small portions of the root ball to loosen the roots a bit and create some beneficial injuries. This helps the plant become established more quickly in its new environment.
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- Next, the plant is placed into the hole and then checked to be sure it is at the right depth.
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- Brian ensures the best side of the plant is facing the road. Brian then backfills the hole. Azaleas have short root systems, so they can easily be transplanted in early spring or early fall.
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- Meanwhile, Pasang is further up the road planting another azalea – it was all hands on deck to get 200 plants in the ground as quickly as possible.
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- Here it one all planted – and it has a lot of room to grow and spread. Some azaleas, including native types, can reach towering heights of 20 feet or more. Dwarf azaleas grow two to three feet tall, and many garden azaleas stay four to six feet in height with as wide a spread.
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- Azaleas are native to several continents including Asia, Europe, and North America. These plants can live for many years, and they continue to grow their entire lives.
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- Lastly, Chhiring walks to every azalea and gives it a good thorough drink. Whenever watering, be sure to focus on the root zone – it’s the roots that need access to water, not the leaves.
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- Azalea ‘Dr. Henry Schroeder” is an open, upright, low-growing, shrub which typically reaches up to three feet tall with a slightly larger spread. Dark green foliage is evergreen and clusters of purplish-pink flowers appear in late April to early May.
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- ‘Fancy Nancy’ blooms mid-season with these colorful pastel pink flowers.
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- This is Azalea ‘Tradition.’ It is covered in stunning clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers in mid spring. The glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.
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- ‘Delaware Valley White’ is an evergreen azalea. It typically grows three to four feet tall over the first 10 years. It has tubular, funnel-shaped, usually single, white flowers that bloom in clusters.
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- ‘Mattie Baron’ comes in this charming white color with yellow centers.
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- The azaleas on the other side of the road are already looking so healthy and wonderful.
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- Next, I will make permanent markers for all the plants on this side, so they are well identified as they grow. This garden will look so spectacular – I can’t wait to see how they develop and thrive. I love azaleas. Of all the shrubs that flower in spring, azaleas provide some of the most brilliant displays.
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