AZALEAS: COLD PROTECTION

Some azalea varieties can be injured by cold. They can usually stand very low temperatures in midwinter after they are dormant better than they can take a sudden early freeze in the fall or a late freeze in the spring. Bark splitting often occurs during these early and late freezes.

Some people believe a fall feeding with a fertilizer that does not contain nitrogen helps reduce cold injury to azaleas. Research has not found this to be true. In fact, little can be done just before an expected freeze to reduce the chance of cold injury. Selecting the right varieties for your area and planting them as recommended are more practical ways to reduce cold injury.

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