LANIER’S • FLORALA, ALA. 
13 
AZALEAS, continued 
man as to soil and culture. However, with a little care, 
they may be grown without trouble and are sure to richly 
repay the grower. 
The soil in which they are planted must be slightly acid; 
lime or limestone soils will not do. In those sections where 
this soil predominates, we do not advise planting Azaleas. 
But in most of the South, the soil is naturally acid, and 
especially in lower altitudes. The best soil for this purpose 
is lowland hammock or bay black peaty or mucky soil. 
Leaf-mold from woodlands is excellent. Just under the 
leaves, where fire has been kept out, you will find a crust 
of dark-colored or grayish soil which is generally sand and 
rotted vegetable matter in the proper proportions for 
healthy Azalea growth. If this is not available, you can 
generally buy granulated peat from your seed store, and 
this, mixed with sand to make a good loamy, friable mix¬ 
ture, will answer the purpose. 
Azaleas are shallow-rooted plants and like lots of mois¬ 
ture, but soil must be well drained. They like semi-shade. 
Young plants, especially, must be kept out of direct, lull 
hot sun rays, at least till well established, when, if planted 
out in full sun, they should have a mulch of oak leaves 
4 to 6 inches deep all around the plants, and this mulch 
kept there. 
Do not fertilize too heavily. Well-rotted cow-lot manure, 
thoroughly mixed with soil, may be safe, or slight applica¬ 
tions cf cotton-seed meal, but do not work the soil close 
to the roots. Keep hoe out of your Azalea bed, and pull 
by hand any weeds or grass in the way. If top-soil is 
stirred with any instrument, be sure that it is done spar¬ 
ingly and lightly, and not at all right close up to the plant. 
If you pot Azaleas, use the type of soil above suggested, 
pack well and generously around roots of the plants, as 
we ship them balled or “pulled” with the original soil 
about the roots, and let the roots be spread out in a natural 
growth position, with several inches, if possible, additional 
space in pot, to spread without becoming pot-bound. Keep 
in semi-shade, protect against hard freezes, and water 
lightly but fairly often. 
With this treatment, you will be fairly assured of 
enviable success with your Azaleas. 
Azalea indica 
This group comprises the Indian varieties, which are 
generally larger in size of plants as well as flowers, but are 
somewhat more sensitive to cold than the dwarf or Japa¬ 
nese varieties. The Indian type is perhaps more suitable 
for landscape planting. We have the following varieties: 
Croemina. Large shell-pink flower. Early bloomer and 
very rapid grower. 
Prince of Orange. Deep orange-red flowers of large size. 
Late midseason. A good variety. 
Pride of Mobile. Large watermelon-pink flower. Mid- 
season. Good grower. Widely planted in Mobile. 
Due de Rohan. Medium-sized flowers of salmon-pink. 
Blooms early. Small, shiny green leaves. Compact. 
Formosa. Fast grower with dark leaves. A good evergreen 
as to foliage. Flowers large, lavender-pink. Midseason. 
Very hardy. 
