Transplanting azaleas requires care during fall

Q: I have just bought three azaleas that are in good shape. I plan to put them in the ground and hope for the best in spring. Do you have any tips that might help me? – E.T., Newport

A: Fall isn’t the best time to incorporate new shrubs into your landscape, however, it is possible to do so with success, if you follow a few general rules.

First and foremost, select a suitable spot for the azalea. A sound environment will offer the best chances for survival. Azaleas like a bit of winter protection, so choose a place with minimal harsh wind and rich, loamy soil.

It is crucial not to apply fertilizer to the shrub this fall. Fertilizer cues plants to put on new growth, and that is the last message you want to send your little azalea at this time of year. Simply dig a hole a bit wider than the root ball and only as shallow as the existing root mass. With as little root disturbance as possible, place the plant in the hole. Gently fill in around the sides of the hole and tamp the soil down lightly to eliminate any air pockets.

Irrigate the shrub as needed and allow the plant to go into dormancy as naturally as possible. Don’t prune the branches or clip off leaves. If the plant is small, you might nudge it along by burying the branches in a mulch of fallen leaves or evergreen boughs after it has become thoroughly dormant, but before a lasting snowfall – usually around Thanksgiving.

In spring, remove the mulch when other deciduous plants start to show signs of coming out of dormancy. If you like, work some composted manure in around the root zone of the azaleas when the leaves are about the size of your thumbnail.

Q: I have had an incredible problem this year with earwigs. Do you know of any way to get rid of them? – D.B., Bangor

A: A simple, temporary solution is to trap them. In the evening, place boards on the ground in areas where you’ve seen them roam. In the early morning, before the air temperature warms, flip the board over and you’ll probably notice some earwigs seeking refuge under the simple trap. Once trapped, they’re at your mercy!

Q: I purchased a rosemary plant at a local garden center this spring. It flourished in my container garden all summer, but now I need to find a place for it to overwinter. Is it safe to simply lower the container into a hole in the garden and cover the stems, or should I bring the plant inside? – M.W., Camden

A: Rosemary is hardy only in Zone 8, so it’s possible to assume that even in the most protected microclimates of Maine, the chances of outdoor survival over the winter are nearly nonexistent.

Rosemary makes a lovely houseplant, so do bring it into your home over the winter. If you have other healthy houseplants, be sure to quarantine the rosemary before introducing it to other specimens.

Carefully inspect the plant for insects or diseases and be sure to eliminate any problems before giving it refuge inside. Since pest problems on one houseplant can quickly affect others, isolate the rosemary in an area away from the other houseplants until you are certain it is pest-free.

In spring, place the rosemary outside again after all danger of frost has passed.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, RR1, Box 2120, Montville 04941, or e-mail them to dianagc@ctel.net. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.