How Do You Dig Up Azalea Bushes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Dig a circular trench around the azalea plant, approximately 3 feet in diameter. …
  2. Dig at a downward angle toward the azalea, getting as deep as you can with the spade. …
  3. Pry up one side of the root ball with the spade and have a friend pull the azalea away from you.

Are azaleas easy to dig up?

Transplanting azaleas is no different. If it’s an azalea, you’re in luck because

azaleas have shallow roots, are easy to dig up

, and recover quickly from the stress of moving. Even mature azaleas can be moved if you are careful to minimize damage to the root systems.

How do you dig up old azaleas?

You should begin with digging the bushes by

using a spade and pushing it deep into the ground

. Now using a spade, remove the soil from around the Azalea bush and expose the roots. Once you see the roots, use both your hands and gently pull the whole plant out of the ground.

How deep are the roots of an azalea bush?

An azalea growing in well-drained soil will form a defined mass of feeder roots that grow

about 12 inches deep

.

When can you dig up and move azaleas?

The best time for transplanting azaleas is

late summer or early autumn

. Instead of bringing possible frost damage, winter provides safe, mild temperatures for your roots to get nice and established before the harsh heat of summer.

Do azaleas like sun or shade?

Azaleas

do well in full sun or part shade

(about four hours of sun). Planted in full sun, azaleas will be more compact and floriferous. When planted in part shade, they will stretch toward the sunlight and form a more graceful habit; flowers will not be as plentiful but will last longer.

Can azaleas be moved while in bloom?

Most rhododendrons and azaleas in the landscape, even large ones,

can be moved using proper care

. In favorable climates the transplanting can be done at almost any time when the plant is not in soft growth, except at the very hottest times. In cold climates early spring transplanting is recommended.

Will azaleas grow back if cut down?

We do not recommend ever cutting an azalea shorter than 12 inches tall. If you cut back the plant all the way to the ground,

you risk the plant becoming weakened by poor nutrition or disease and die

. The plant may also take up to 3 years to bloom again if you cut back the shrub that much.

How long do azalea plants live?

Azalea bushes can live for

50 years

with proper care. Azaleas are a subgenus of flowering shrubs that can grow up to 6 feet in height and produce numerous large flowers in colors of pink, purple, red or white. They bloom during the spring and can be deciduous or evergreen, depending on the species.

Can I move my azalea now?

The time for moving your Azalea is

early Spring or Autumn

. With Spring being late this year you will get away with moving your plant now.

Can I plant an azalea in the ground?

The best time to plant azaleas is in

spring and fall

. Plant them in a sunny spot that gets a good amount of afternoon shade. When planting azaleas, fill the hole with a 50/50 blend of existing soil and Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs.

How fast do azalea roots grow?

Using bottom warmth of 70-75°F will encourage root growth. Rooting usually

takes about 6 weeks for evergreen azaleas and 3 to 4 months for large-leaf rhododendrons

. Once the cuttings have rooted, pot or transplant them to flats containing a sterile mix of 60% milled sphagnum peat moss and 40% perlite.

How do you transplant azalea bushes?

Carefully

dig down around the plants

and remove as much of the rootball as possible with a shovel. Once you have removed the plant, prune any the roots that may have been damaged in your attempt to remove the plant. Have a large sheet of plastic ready so you can move the plant to its new location.

How do you get azaleas to bloom again?

While in bloom indoors, the plant should be

watered regularly

so that the planting medium stays constantly moist. Add an all-purpose soluble fertilizer to the water once a week; a balanced formula will work fine.

When should you transplant azaleas?

Transplanting plants and shrubs is best done out of the heat of summer. The May bush can be cut back after Spring flowering and then transplanted in

Autumn or Winter

. Try and dig as large a hole as possible and when removing the plant keep the root ball in tact as much as possible.

Can you split azalea bushes?


Shrubs with trunks can’t be divided

. … Azaleas, arborvitae, and laurels are examples of tree-like shrubs. These shrubs are what they are – you can’t cut the trunk in half, and if you divide off a clump of roots, it won’t sprout a new trunk.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.