The older leaves shed in winter, with newer mahogany-colored leaves replacing them.
Spring brings clusters of bright orange-red flowers to ‘Stewartsonian’, drawing pollinators to your yard.
This is a four-season shrub that offers more than most azaleas and rhododendrons.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
How to Grow ‘Stewartstonian’ Azalea
‘Stewartstonian’ requires a moderate amount of maintenance.
Locating it in part shade and in a soil that drains properly is a good start.
But you also have to keep it irrigated, fertilized, and pruned.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Light
Plant this azalea in a part-shade location in the southern part of its range.
In colder northern regions, it will do well in full sun.
This shrub will die if exposed to the soil toxins produced by trees in the walnut family.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The roots on azaleas should never be allowed to dry out.
Azaleas typically don’t react well to extremely dry environments.
In dryer climates, it helps to increase watering, especially as the plant heads into the winter months.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Fertilizer
Fertilize this plant annually withcompost.
If necessary to lower soil pH, it’s possible for you to use an acidifying fertilizer.
Healthy azaleas can be remarkably problem-free in the right environment.
Minor problems can be ignored.
Severe infestations should first be addressed with insecticidal soaps and oils before you turn to more toxic chemical pesticides.
Fungicidal sprays and powders may prevent or cure some fungal diseases.
Pruning to improve air circulation can help prevent some diseases.
This can be a great specimen for mixed shrub borders.
Finally, azaleas have shallow root systems that make them relatively safe to plant over septic drain fields.
