The Bright And Sunny Shrub To Plant In The Fall For A Better Spring

It often feels like you should plant fast-growing spring flowers for a colorful garden at the start of that season, but some shrubs prefer to be planted when the weather turns cooler. Waiting until April or May to plant early bloomers means you've already missed the window. Getting beautiful flowers in spring — or in summer — starts with putting the right shrub in the ground in the fall. Gardeners looking for a cheerful pop of color after a long winter should plant Sunbow Series native azaleas, developed by Southern Living. This Rhododendron hybrid boasts vibrant blooms with a sweet, honeysuckle-like scent. Fall is the ideal time to plant these shrubs, so their roots have plenty of time to dig in, readying the plant for abundant earlier spring flowering.

Unlike most types of azaleas you can grow in your garden, some Sunbow Series shrubs have an increased tolerance for heat and humidity and better disease resistance, making them an excellent choice for warmer climates. They grow well in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, and will add color to your yard in spring and summer if planted before last year's first hard freeze. Though the Sunbow series is an update to earlier, classic azalea varieties, they're still deciduous shrubs, meaning they drop their leaves as the weather cools. The blooms of Sunbow Series shrubs are larger and brighter than their earlier cousins. Solar Glow, for example, has intense orange-red flowers that look like flames, while Solar Flare has neon-yellow flowers with light-orange highlights. The honeysuckle scent is a common feature, adding another layer of experience to your garden.

As mentioned, the best time to plant a Sunbow azalea in your garden is in the fall, well before the ground freezes. Planting a new native azalea at this time means the plant can put all its energy into growing a sturdy root system. It doesn't have the burden of supporting leaf bud or flower production. This results in a stronger, more established plant that's ready to bloom as soon as warmer weather arrives and soil temperatures reach around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. To find the best spot in your garden to plant azaleas for stunning blooms, you need to consider their specific light and soil needs. Sunbow azaleas like full sun in cooler areas, but they prefer a location with afternoon shade in hot climates.

The soil needs to be moist, but Sunbow azaleas dislike boggy conditions, so the soil also needs to drain well. If the spot you want to plant your new azalea in holds water or contains heavy clay, consider mounding the soil or planting them in a well-draining raised bed or container. Since these shrubs are a Rhododendron hybrid, they need soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. Giving these plants the acidic environment they enjoy allows them to better absorb nutrients. Apply a layer of mulch 1 to 2 inches deep around the base of the shrub once planted to help regulate soil temperatures and retain moisture, which is especially important through winter.