Azalea Elsie Lee

Azalea Elsie Lee Care

Rhododendron 'elsie Lee'

What is the plant

Elsie Lee' was bred by Anthony M. Shammarello of South Euclid, Ohio and introduced in 1970. It is the result of a cross between Rhododendron 'Desiree' as the seed parent and Rhododendron 'Rosebud' as the pollen parent. It has semi-double, widely funnel-shaped, 2¼ - 2½ in. wide flowers that are pink with bluish or lavender overtones.

It is the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of Washington and West Virginia in the United States, the provincial flower of Jiangxi in China and the state tree of Sikkim and Uttarakhand in India.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

5 - 8

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Once plants are established, though, you should only have to water during dry periods (2 to 3 weeks without rain).
Pruning
According to most professional landscapers, the ideal time for pruning rhododendrons is late winter, while the plant is dormant. However, any time between the first frost in fall and the last frost in spring (while the sap is low) will work.
Fertilizer
You'll want to use a particular fertilizer composition for the different stages of your rhododendron growth. At planting time, use 10-10-6 fertilizer before you water the plant in. In early spring, the rhododendron buds swell. At this time, apply a complete 10-8-6 fertilizer.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Azaleas do well in full sun or part shade (about four hours of sun).
Soil
Azaleas do well in moist, acid (pH 5.5 or so), well-drained soil with lots of organic matter, such as peat, compost, chopped leaves, or ground bark. They won't grow in heavy clay, pure sand, or alkaline soil.
Temperature
When in bloom, keep them at around 55-60 degrees; blooms don't last as long in warmer temperatures. Azaleas will tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from near freezing to 90º plus.