Replanting Decorative (flowering) Plants Where Alberta Dwarf Spruce Was Located.

Question

I have a home in hardiness Zones 6a that faces due West, and gets direct and hot afternoon sun. I do not have any shade trees in my front yard. On either side of my front porch, I used to have dwarf alberta spruce shrubs that I had removed. They were doing fine and weren’t affected by the hot summer sun, but I just did not like their appearance. I attempted to replace them last year with encore azaleas in 1 gallon pots, but they have struggled mightily to grow and did not bloom at all this year. In fact they have very little foliage on them at all, and don’t seem to be doing well. I’m wondering if the soil is too acidic from the years of spruce being there, or if its mainly the direct sun that is affecting the azaleas (or a combination)? Are these azaleas are worth trying to nurture and bring back to life, or should I replant them in my back east facing yard and replace with something more hardy in direct hot sun? If so, any suggestions? Thanks for your guidance!

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Answer 1

Azaleas are considered a filtered shade plant, although Encore's do best with 4 to 6 hours of morning sun per day, wit shade in the afternoon. The Eastern exposure will be ideal. Azaleas prefer acidic soil, so I doubt that was a problem. Encore azaleas should be able to handle full sun, but the hot Western exposure is likely too much.

They should be fertilized after the first bloom cycle in spring with an azalea fertilizer or premium, slow-release fertilizer.

You have options for zone 6 full sun flowering plants. Work in some compost before replanting. Here are some ideas:

Knock Out roses

Coneflower

Dwarf butterfly bushes

Coreopsis

Spirea

Panicle hydrangeas