7 Reasons Why Azaleas Fail to Bloom

If your azalea is not blooming, don’t worry. It’s a common problem that can be solved with a few simple solutions. We’re outlining some of the most frequent culprits of why your azalea bush is not blooming (and how to fend them off) to get your shrubs flowering again.

Reasons for Azaleas Not Blooming

Even if you have a type of azalea known for frequent flowering, such as the popular Encore Azalea, there may be a period where the plant struggles to bloom. The lack of blooms is likely due to one of these reasons:

Location

Azaleas located in an area with too much sun or too much shade won't thrive. This plant prefers a moderate mix of both. Excessive sun can cause infestations or scorch the plant, while an overabundance of shade will yield greenery, but not flowers. See which spots in your yard have the right conditions, then move the plants so they will bloom.

Watering

Azaleas require a delicate balance of watering because they can't be allowed to dry out and they do not like wet feet, either. Mulching can help with water retention and protect the roots from the heat. The mulch layer should not be any deeper than 2 to 3 inches.

Fertilizer

If you fertilize your azaleas with high levels of nitrogen, it will interfere with blooming (though they will spur foliage growth). The Holly-tone brand is a good choice for growing healthy azaleas because it is only 4 percent nitrogen.

Pruning

If you pruned your azaleas later than normal last year, the flower buds may have been inadvertently removed. For azaleas, the current year's blooms stem from buds developed during the prior summer, so the best time to prune your azaleas is just after the current blooms fall away.

Pest Damage

Deer may have eaten the buds off of your azaleas. Azaleas are not deer-resistant so you might consider deer fencing around your flowering shrub.

Weather

Last year’s weather can affect this year’s blooms. Consider the following factors to determine if the weather is responsible for your azaleas not blooming:

• A period of drought during the prior year could have destroyed your azalea flower buds, resulting in no flowers (or fewer of them) for the current year. 
• A frigid winter could have killed azalea flower buds.
• A lack of cold weather can sometimes result in a plant not blooming since some azaleas have a chilling requirement.
• Unseasonably warm periods in the fall or spring can trick azaleas into blooming prematurely (called "bud blast") and those buds won't open in the upcoming flowering season.

Wrap your azaleas in burlap and group them for your winter azalea care to keep them insulated from the cold. Pack them with mulch—which conserves moisture and regulates soil temperature near the roots—to protect them from extreme heat.

Wrong Soil pH

It's common to see flowerless azaleas when they're planted in non-acidic soil, This plant prefers acidic soil. Test your soil to see if you need to adjust the pH level. Add sulfur, coffee grounds, or compost to the soil to increase its acidity.