Planting Dwarf Azaleas....?

What is the best method of planting small bushes on a side of a townhome? I am trying to spruce up the side of my townhome and I am not sure what to do? I live in Zone 7. Any suggestions of turning my bland townhome into the talk of the neighborhood? Thanks!

Planting Dwarf Azaleas....?
Since azaleas are acid lovers, don%26#039;t plant them close to the foundation of buildings, where concrete footers will leach alkalines into the soil. If you must do so, because that %26#039;s the best space you have for them, carefully remove all the soil from contact with the footer for about 2 feet down and 2 feet out from the footer, along the whole length of the area the azaleas will need when they reach mature size--which should be stated on their labels. Cut a piece of 1/2%26quot; styrofoam, available from hardware and building supply stores, 2 feet wide by the proper length, and hold it firmly against the footer while you fill the bed with fresh soil. Use 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 peatmoss, and 1/3 potting soil, well blended. The acidic soil azaleas love can be created by mixing in well-chopped dry leaves or aged compost. Add a handful or two of bone meal, superphosphate, and sulphur to the mix; those are all available at garden centers and farm supply stores.





Azaleas have very shallow roots, so a 2- or 3-inch covering of mulch helps them to preserve water and ward off heat. I routinely sprinkle Preen, to prevent weed seed from sprouting, and slug bait on every bed I make before I apply mulch. Water your azaleas regularly and deeply, so their roots will grow downward, following the water.





Consider the smaller, native, understory trees for your yard: Dogwood, serviceberry, redbud, wild crabapple and wild plum flower in spring and bear fruit the birds love. Select shrubs from you local nursery by checking their tags for their mature height and width, and, when you plant them, leave them plenty of room to reach those sizes.





If your yard bakes in the heat of sun and pavement, pick plants that will thrive in that environment, such as annual golden California Poppy, Madagascar Periwinkle, which comes in many colors, annual or perennial verbenas, perennial geraniums and spiderworts, and perennial phlox, a group of plants with creepers, low mounding plants, and 3-footers, many of which are fragrant. Roses will be happy in a hot environment, but hunt for specimens that will fit your yard. To really know the neighbors%26#039; socks off, plant plenty of bulbs for spring and summer flowering: tulips, hyacinths, crocus, grape hyacinths, and ipheion for spring, and acidanthera, gladiolas, and lilies for summer. The creeping forms of sedum will make nice, carefree groundcovers for hot areas.





If your yard tends to be more shady and cool, try ferns, Jacob%26#039;s ladder, hellebores (Christmas rose and Lenten rose), Columbines (Aquilegia species), native gingers, primroses, tiarella, dwarf crested iris, and Gerbera daisies, which are tender, but too beautiful to pass up.





Have fun!
Reply:I goofed! It%26#039;s plants.usda.gov -- My apology! Report It

Reply:Well Azaleas will certainly be a show stopper. I planted several in my front yard that are in bloom as I write (I%26#039;m in Zone9). I used two colors of lighter and darker pink and they are now growing together as if they were one bush. I planted mine relatively close together and made certain that they were planted in deep and wide enough holes for their roots to spread. I also hit mine with Acid (available in the garden section of the home improvement store, it is a fertillizer) and the blooms are prolific.



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