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#377782 Oct 14th, 2013 at 03:56 AM
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Holly12 Offline OP
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Hi there!!

This spring I planted a Fire Azalea. It was absolutely gorgeous!! It's only about a foot tall and a foot wide, but it was one big red ball of fire in the spring! I love it!

After the flowers were done, the leaves stayed a nice red/green. Over the summer and fall, some of the leaves dropped, and there are now just leaves near the ends of the branches.

I'm wondering:

1. How do I prune this plant to get it ready for next year?

2. I cut the bottom off of a cheapy plastic planter and am going to place it over the azalea and fill in the sides with leaves. Will this be sufficient for "winterizing" the plant and keeping it from getting damaged? The bottom of the planter was cut off, to allow light, water and air in, but the sides of the container and the packed in leaves should provide warmth and protection from harsh winds. (I live in Canada... it gets cold here, lol.)


Thanks for any advice or tips!


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Frogger
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I could find no information about caring for your plant since it is in canada. So I messaged a member that lives in Canada to see if she could help you----I hope she will soon get my message & have some answers for you.


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Northern Star
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Hi...fellow Canadian here. Do you know what zone you are in, I live in zone 3 and Azaleas won't winter over here if left outdoors.


~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Holly12 Offline OP
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Thanks Juniegirl!

Sunflowers, I have no clue what zone I'm in lolol. I'm in Ontario..... 45 minutes North of Toronto..... what zone is that? (According to this link.... between 6a and 5b??)

Mark Cullen Hardiness Zone

Last edited by Holly12; Oct 16th, 2013 at 10:48 AM.

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Yup, about a 6...your azalea will do fine. I wouldn't prune it this year.

By the way do you have it planted in the ground?? I'd use burlap as well or a rose insulation cover(styrofoam dome)...the plastic pot will draw in the frost and ice.


~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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Holly12 Offline OP
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Yes, it's planted in the ground and not potted. I will have to go out and get some burlap... I'm assuming any greenhouse/gardening center would have it? Then cover it with burlap, put the plastic pot over it and fill in the sides with dirt and leaves yes?


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Nope, just cover the bush with a few layers of burlap...no leaves and no pot. The leaves will draw mice or moles to nest, then they'll eat the branches.

You can buy burlap at any hardware store..it's cheaper there.


~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
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