Azalea (incl. Encore® rebloomers): when to plant and care

Needs acidic, well-drained soil and shallow mulch. Prune right after spring bloom.

Botanical name	Rhododendron spp.
Type	shrub
USDA zones	6–9
Sun	part shade (dappled)
Water	moderate; even moisture
Bloom	spring (rebloomers also fall)
Mature size	2–6 ft
Planting time	Fall (preferred in the South and transition zone) or early spring

Azalea covered in vivid purple-pink blooms — Photo: Bob Phoenix, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cool weather and warm soil let roots grow before summer heat; plant in spring in the coldest zones.

Example dates

Place	Dates
Austin, TX (78701)	spring: Feb 24–Apr 21; fall: Sep 22–Dec 1
Atlanta, GA (30303)	spring: Mar 10–May 5; fall: Sep 13–Nov 22
St. Louis, MO (63101)	spring: Mar 18–May 13; fall: Sep 9–Nov 18
Chicago, IL (60614)	spring: Mar 27–May 22; fall: Sep 10–Nov 19
Denver, CO (80202)	spring: Apr 16–Jun 11; fall: Aug 17–Oct 26
Seattle, WA (98101)	spring: Feb 27–Apr 24; fall: Sep 22–Dec 1

Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.

Pruning: when to prune.

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Sources

USDA NRCS: PLANTS Database (not copyrighted; cite USDA NRCS)
Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Azalea

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

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