EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 49 MIN
Ep. 251 Celebrating the Year of the Azalea and Talking How to Grow Them | #GoodGrowing
from Good Growing · host Chris Enroth
The National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Azalea! Ken, Emily, and Chris are digging into what makes these colorful (and sometimes finicky) plants so popular.In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we break down everything you need to know about azaleas—from their connection to rhododendrons to how to grow them successfully in the Midwest. If you’ve ever wondered why azaleas struggle in Illinois landscapes (or if they’re even worth trying), this episode is for you.Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Tvg7VoiBmgc00:30 Hey Ken01:07 Hey Emily!01:42 Topic of the week: Year of the azalea according to the National Garden Bureau03:13 Rhododendron vs, Azalea, which is which?05:44 Groups of azalea: Tsutsusi and pentanthera07:19 Native deciduous azalea vs non-native evergreen azalea07:42 History of breeding azalea10:16 Growing requirement for azalea14:52 Site selection and species/cultivar selection18:59 Insects and disease challenges with azaleas22:24 Pollinators and azalea23:51 Phytopthora root rot and soil pH issues25:10 Back to pollinators on azalea26:06 Describing 10 azaleas native to Eastern North America 27:08 Alabama Azalea 29:12 Coastal Azalea 30:11 Florida Azalea 32:13 Flame Azalea 33:04 Piedmont or Mountain Azalea 33:35 Oconee Azalea (also goes by Peidmont azalea in some areas but is a different species) 34:14 Pinxterbloom Azalea 35:13 Rochelle/Early/Plumleaf Azalea 36:44 Pink Shell Azalea 37:28 Swamp Azalea39:19 Would we grow azaleas in our yard?42:34 What type of azalea might you find in an Illinois nursery?44:32 Azaleas at Augusta Golf CourseContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart [email protected] what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
What this episode covers
The National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Azalea! Ken, Emily, and Chris are digging into what makes these colorful (and sometimes finicky) plants so popular.In this episode of the Good Growing podcast, we break down everything you need to know about azaleas—from their connection to rhododendrons to how to grow them successfully in the Midwest. If you’ve ever wondered why azaleas struggle in Illinois landscapes (or if they’re even worth trying), this episode is for you.Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/Tvg7VoiBmgc00:30 Hey Ken01:07 Hey Emily!01:42 Topic of the week: Year of the azalea according to the National Garden Bureau03:13 Rhododendron vs, Azalea, which is which?05:44 Groups of azalea: Tsutsusi and pentanthera07:19 Native deciduous azalea vs non-native evergreen azalea07:42 History of breeding azalea10:16 Growing requirement for azalea14:52 Site selection and species/cultivar selection18:59 Insects and disease challenges with azaleas22:24 Pollinators and azalea23:51 Phytopthora root rot and soil pH issues25:10 Back to pollinators on azalea26:06 Describing 10 azaleas native to Eastern North America 27:08 Alabama Azalea 29:12 Coastal Azalea 30:11 Florida Azalea 32:13 Flame Azalea 33:04 Piedmont or Mountain Azalea 33:35 Oconee Azalea (also goes by Peidmont azalea in some areas but is a different species) 34:14 Pinxterbloom Azalea 35:13 Rochelle/Early/Plumleaf Azalea 36:44 Pink Shell Azalea 37:28 Swamp Azalea39:19 Would we grow azaleas in our yard?42:34 What type of azalea might you find in an Illinois nursery?44:32 Azaleas at Augusta Golf CourseContact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Emily Swihart [email protected] what you hear? Subscribe for more gardening tips, plant talk, and seasonal inspiration from University of Illinois Extension.Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms. iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377 Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/ Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/ Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902 Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us
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Ep. 251 Celebrating the Year of the Azalea and Talking How to Grow Them | #GoodGrowing
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