# When is the best time to plant azeleas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 20, 2019, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878 "2019-02-20T06:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878/1 "2019-02-20T06:17:05Z")
Question in the title. I have a spot that’s open, it’s perfect for azaleas, and I’ll have time to plant them. When’s the best time? Early spring late spring, what sustained temperature? And anything else the green thumbs might want to add ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878/2 "2019-02-20T14:09:58Z")
You should give a bit more information - I don’t know what USDA zone _Pork Roll/Taylor Ham_ falls in 🙂 Is your soil naturally acidic? If not you’ll need to lower the pH level. My gumbo clay soil is very alkaline, and to keep my several very large rhododendrons, which are close relatives of azaleas, and gardenias healthy I am constantly feeding them and adding soil amendments. Azaleas usually require shade, although some of the newer re-blooming varieties can take a bit more sun. Here on the Gulf Coast they need more shade than they do in Oregon or Maryland. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878/3 "2019-02-21T00:20:25Z")
> [@Bayaker](#): > > You should give a bit more information - I don’t know what USDA zone _Pork Roll/Taylor Ham_ falls in 🙂 > > Is your soil naturally acidic? If not you’ll need to lower the pH level. My gumbo clay soil is very alkaline, and to keep my several very large rhododendrons, which are close relatives of azaleas, and gardenias healthy I am constantly feeding them and adding soil amendments. > > Azaleas usually require shade, although some of the newer re-blooming varieties can take a bit more sun. Here on the Gulf Coast they need more shade than they do in Oregon or Maryland. I’m aware of the acid requirement. In the bed I am planning to put them in there is nothing else growing there so it shouldn’t be a problem to get it to the right pH. It’s also in the shade and I think very good spot for azaleas. I always love the ones around my parents house so I wanted to bring similar plants in here. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878/4 "2019-02-21T04:01:56Z")
3 AM. Make just enough noise to wake the neighbors. Make the hole at least the size of your spouse. At least suspicion will grow. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-azeleas/829878/5 "2019-02-21T06:01:49Z")
You can find out your USDA hardiness zone by entering your zip code into this website. > **[USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map](https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/)** > > Create your own initiative by combining existing applications with a custom site. Use this initiative to form teams around a problem and invite your community to participate. p.s. Most azaleas are not cold-hardy and should be in pots, or dug up and moved inside, if you’re in zone 6 or colder.