Azaleas are garden favorites that tend to survive no matter what nature throws at them. However, you might be worried that your favorite plants won’t live through the cold season and ask, ‘what do azaleas look like in winter?’
While azaleas are showstoppers during their growing season, they may look a bit forlorn and ragged in the winter. Evergreen species are likely to retain their foliage while deciduous types will shed leaves and grow new shoots when spring comes around.
What do Azaleas Look Like in Winter?
The Azalea’s appearance in the cold season will depend on whether it’s an evergreen or deciduous variety.
Some azaleas will have color-changing leaves, which usually start green in spring and turn to reddish or purple as the day temperature plummets. Evergreen azaleas tend to retain their leaves and drop only a few at a time, while deciduous azaleas are known to drop a lot and grow new ones in early spring.
Your azalea plants may look poor and worse for wear, but as long as they’re still alive then azaleas will regain their former lushness and beauty, with new leaves and blooms to boot. In the meantime, you’ll want to do a close inspection now and then to ensure that your azaleas are dormant and not affected by a fungus or overwatered.
Do Azaleas Turn Brown in Winter?
If you’re alarmed that your beloved azaleas are turning brown during winter, stay calm. It’s actually an uncommon occurrence, especially in evergreen shrubs.
Evergreen azaleas will have their green leaves turn somewhat red, purple, or brown in winter. The good news is that these plants are tough and usually bounce right back when the weather starts to warm.
Also, a phenomenon called ‘windburn’ will cause the leaves to dry and have them lose their green color. Furthermore, lace bug infestation is a likely reason why your azalea leaves are turning brown.
You won’t need to fertilize in winter, and it’s best to wait until spring or when the last day of frost has passed before you start treating your azaleas. If it starts growing new and healthy shoots then it’s probably a natural occurrence and no further actions are needed.
How to Care for Azaleas in Winter
Winter is a period of dormancy for azaleas, which means you should stop fertilizing and frequent watering. It’s recommended that you water deeply after two or three frosts have passed to prevent your azaleas from completely drying out.
Mulching can be done to preserve moisture and keep your plant shielded from hard frost. A 3 to 5-inch layer of dry grass, straw, or pine needles around the plant should suffice. Add the mulch before the first frost hits and before the azalea goes dormant.
Inspect your azalea from time to time for winter damage. If the leaves start curling on cold days, leave them be. It is a normal occurrence and will reverse itself once temperatures stabilize and become warmer. You may need to cover your azaleas with plastic, burlap, or an old bed sheet if temperatures drop to 25 degrees F or lower and you see winter damage, e.g., split bark or dried leaves.
What do azaleas look like in winter: Conclusion
Site and azalea species selection is important too, as there are kinds of azaleas that are more cold-hardy than the others. Some can survive zone 4 winters and come out relatively unscathed.
Related Article: Do Azaleas Have a Scent?