All About the Azalea Flower
The azalea is one of the most popular blooming plants available, and this is definitely attributed to its bright and beautiful blooms. Throughout the world, this flower stands for love and gentleness, making it perfect to give to a loved one for any occasion. The azalea speaks of taking care of yourself and everlasting beauty, which is exemplified in this plant’s long life not only as a houseplant, but also as a cheery addition to your yard or garden.
Description of the Azalea Flower
AThe azalea isn’t actually a flower you would typically find in bouquets and arrangements, as it is actually a shrub in the rhododendron family. Rhododendrons are known for their voluminous blooms, which are seen in the azalea. However, what makes the azalea unique is instead of having multiple blooms per stem, there is only a single one. However, these blooms are still just as spectacular as their rhododendron counterparts, and come in a variety of colours such as pink, white and red.
Uses for the Azalea Flower
More often than not, people use azaleas as decorative plants in their yard or garden. They are very easy to grow, making them a favorite amongst gardeners of all skill levels, though they are quite susceptible to many plant diseases. Azaleas do well in many different climates, and can even thrive as a houseplant. However, it is recommended that once all of the blooms fall off the azalea is planted outside so that it can bloom again the following year.
Growing the Azalea Flower
People love to grow the azalea flower. They are easy to plant and care for, and there are many beautiful varieties to choose from. One important thing to watch for is overwatering, so ensure the azalea is in either a pot with good drainage, or well-irrigated soil. However, azaleas prefer moist and mulchy soil as they have shallow root systems. They also tend to grow better in cooler soil, so it is better to plant or transplant them in cool weather as they have difficulty taking root in the heat. Azaleas can be easily afflicted by plant diseases and pests, so keep an eye out for unusual leaf colour or bugs.