Valdosta, Georgia holds the distinctive title of the “Azalea City”because of the numerous azaleas that provide mounds of beautiful blooms in the spring. Valdosta is one of just a few cities within the United States to be recognized by the Azalea Society of America as a “certified Azalea City”. One of the principal goals of this organization is to promote the appreciation of azaleas in public and private landscapes through recognition and certification of those municipalities that promote and display azaleas as an “Azalea City”.

One popular promotion is the Valdosta-Lowndes Azalea Festival held each spring. Last weekend was the 2010 Azalea Festival and though the weather was windy and a bit chilly, folks came from all over to enjoy the live music, a wide variety of foods, arts and crafts from around the country, kids activities, racing pigs and cloggers. The event was held in Drexel Park and though usually resplendent with blooming azaleas by this time of year, our beautiful “guest of honor” was not able to make an appearance due to inclement weather which resulted in delayed blooming. However, just over the past week I’ve noticed buds beginning to open and for the next few weeks you can enjoy a riot of color from our beautiful azaleas!

Few photos from the 2010 Valdosta-Lowndes Azalea Festival:

Trivia:

* In Chinese culture, the azalea is known as "thinking of home bush”

* Azaleas are called "the royalty of the garden"

* Azalea is the flower of the astrology symbol Sagittarius

Information/tips on the care of the azalea:

- Planting of the Azalea:

*First Rule in Care for Azaleas: Location, Location, Location:   Planting azaleas in a spot cooled by partial shade, where the soil is acidic and well-drained, is a step in the right direction in the proper care for azaleas. Some varieties will tolerate full sun if sufficient water is provided.

*Shady Companion for Azaleas:  Since azaleas prefer shade, choose a good shade tree to have growing near them. Will just any shade tree do? No! Azalea plants like acid soil and have shallow roots. A shade tree compatible with them will not mind acid soil and will not have shallow roots.

- Care of the Azalea:

*Mulch:   Mulching is an essential part of proper care for azalea bushes. The roots of these shallow-rooted plants need the protection that mulch affords against extremes of heat and cold -- and against drying out. Remember, the fact that these plants like a well-drained soil doesn't mean they like to be dry. Azaleas are not desert plants; they like water. They just don't like to be sitting in it for long periods of time, which would cause their roots to rot. The best mulches for azaleas are acidic mulches, such as pine straw.

- Pruning Azaleas:

Pruning azaleas should be undertaken immediately after they finish blooming. Pruning azaleas later than that risks interfering with the development of next year's buds. Begin by pruning off dead or injured branches, which could cause disease and insect problems in the future. Then prune back tall, gangly limbs shooting out of the top of the bush. Please don’t shape an azalea bush into a “square”!  The azalea bush is “softly rounded”, and following the initial trimming after bloom, only requires a minimal “snipping” of long shoots to maintain.

 - Azalea Disease/Problems:

Azaleas are generally healthy plants when their basic cultural requirements are met. However, they are subject to a number of problems caused by infectious agents, insect pests, weather and nutrition deficiencies. An excellent site that addresses a few common problems and their control measures can be viewed at http://www.azaleas.org/azdiagnose.html.

Warning: Horticultural chemicals tend to work because they are harmful. If you use these measures, follow their label safety precautions such as gloves and other protective measures to avoid personal harm, and follow their label rates of dilution and application to avoid harm to the plants and environment.