Parts of Augusta are showing their true colors this week as the azaleas are in full bloom all across the area.
“This year we got really lucky,” said Tripp Williams, the agricultural and natural resources county extension coordinator for the Columbia County Extension Agency.
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Multiple factors played into the reasons the azaleas didn’t bloom too early and start to fade before the tournament, he said.
The weather was key. While there was a recent freeze with temperatures dipping into the upper 20s less than 10 days ago, it didn’t damage the budding flowers.
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Moisture also played a vital role.
“The amount of rain we’ve received is significantly high,” he said. “It’s been pretty moist even into the spring.”
The Augusta area is home to a wide array of azaleas. Some are native to the area, but others have been introduced into the landscape.
The native azaleas come in a variety of colors including white, pink, crimson and even orange.
Many native species have been crossed to create colorful hybrids.
Dr. Fred Galle, the former director of horticulture at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. described more than 70 hybrid groups of azaleas in his book on azaleas, according to the University of Georgia extension agency website.
One of the most popular introduced varieties of azalea is the Kurume hybrid from Kurume, Japan. They have smaller blooms. They are white, pink, salmon or red. Sometimes, the blooms are bicolored, according to the extension agency’s website.
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While many people think of spring as planting time, it’s not the optimal time of the year to plant azaleas, said Williams.
Fall is the best time to plant the species, which is part of Ericaceae family. The family also includes blueberries and mountain laurel. Azaleas fall under the rhododendron genus.
The azaleas thrived with all the rain the area has gotten. Staff photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Azaleas should be pruned before July 4. Buds begin to set in early July. Staff photo by Charmain Z. Brackett
Williams suggests pruning azaleas before July 4. The buds will begin to set in early July. If they are pruned too late in the season, it will diminish the flowers for the next season.
How well azaleas will perform depends a lot on the soil they are planted in.
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Williams suggested having the soil tested to see what nutrients are needed.
The extension service tests soil samples for soil acidity and a other minerals. In Richmond County, call (706) 821-2350 or in Columbia County, call (706) 541-4011.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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