Growing Northern Lights Azalea in container - Ask Extension
I have bought a Northern Lights azalea at Friends School Plant Sale. The planting location in my backyard will be ready this fall. My questions are:
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Growing Northern Lights Azalea in container #749299
Asked May 11, 2021, 12:12 PM EDT
I have bought a Northern Lights azalea at Friends School Plant Sale. The planting location in my backyard will be ready this fall. My questions are:
- is it possible to grow it in container until this fall 2021 planting or even until fall of 2022?
- if yes, should I up pot it in larger container and what size is best (the bigger the better?). The largest pot available to me is a half whiskey barrel
- if container planting ok, what should I do if the Azalea has to be overwintered in it (sink the whole container in the ground and mulch it?)
- what is recommended growing medium for abovementioned container?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
You can grow Azalea shrubs in a pot for the summer. A high quality potting soil is recommended. While the plant will do okay in any size pot the larger the pot the easier it is to keep it from drying out. When the weather is consistently warmer it will need daily watering unless it rains.
The Azalea can be transplanted later in the season. You should water deeply (slow trickle from a hose at the base over 30 minutes) weekly (or more if a dry season) until the soil freezes. If you do not plant this fall you must sink the pot into the ground and mulch as you mention.
Enjoy your new shrub!
