Relandscaping And Moving Azaleas Now

[lbfoss]

Hi, I need imput, Please!!
I hired a landscape architect back in December, and she finally came around and did up a plan for the front of my house on Friday. I have a wedding coming 1OCT, and I wanted the place really neat-looking
I have 20+ azaleas (same color) planted across the front of my house, and then grass down to the sidewalk. The azaleas are several sizes, the 4 largest (22 years old) are about 3' high by 4' wide, and finally looking very healthy. As they have died off over the years, I have purchased and planted younger ones. But this year I really gave them TLC, and they look wonderful.
Needless to say, the landscape plan calls for eliminating all of them and replacing them with evergreen things........
I am wondering, can azaleas this old be safely moved at this time of year? I don't mind moving the large ones to the outside near the house corners, and putting the smaller ones in the middle. (I don't intend to replace all of my plants with new ones from their nursery, but I don't mind adding a few other plants for interest) BUT, is it safe to move an established azalea at this time of year?? It gets cool at night here in Northern Virginia, but the days are hot (85-90) and dry dry dry. We haven't had rain in almost a month and I am getting up early every other day to water.
Please give me some opinions on moving the azaleas now. Thank you

[Rebecca]

Linda,

I believe I addressed this on another forum, but for those here who did not see that post, I'll state it again here (though not verbatim!)

Azaleas can be moved this time of year, although it isn't the best time to do so (later would be better). Take as much of the root ball as you possibly can, place it in a well prepared hole that has been totally soaked with water, back fill with well rotted manure and peat humus. Male a well around the plant and water it deeply 2 or 3 times. Keep the newly transplanted plant well watered until the first hard freeze. You will also need to prune the shrub back by 1/3 to 1/2 to compensate for the loss of root mass. Use this pruning to shape the plant, remove dead and dying branches and to open the center some so there is good air circulation.

If these are evergreen types you might want to spray the foliage with something to keep the foliage from drying out too much over the winter, or, you can over the plants with a wide weaved burlap, especially is they are not in a spot protected from the Northernly winds.

Come Spring, begin fertilizing with an acid based fertilizer as per package directions.

I wish you luck, as that is a big job to have to tackle. The younger/smaller plants will probably move easier than the large 22 year old ones. I would also warn you that some might not make it.

All that being said, since these shrubs are in good shape and looking good, I don't think I would move them. Instead, I would do some careful pruning to shape and tidy the up and then plant annuals or other container plants in front of them to spruce things up for the wedding. I feel "Evergreens" are highly over-rated and all to often used! when they don't need to be.

I say if you are happy with your Azaleas and how they look, keep them and adjust the landscapers plans to allow them to remain. Why fix something that ain't broken?!


Rebecca

[lbfoss]

Thanks, Rebecca
I love those azaleas, and I think I will stick with your advice. I might move some of the new ones around some, but I love my azaleas, and I don't want to kill them or prune them for the silly wedding. I want every spring bud I can get! I think your suggestions are great, thanks for the solid instructions.
Linda