Question: What is the life expectancy of azaleas in my garden? I’ve planted them in the recommended mix, but now they’re looking old and tired. They’ve been in the bed for eight years.

Answer: You may decide it’s time to replant with fresh azaleas after that length of time. At a minimum, you should prune, dig and reset the plants. As the organic matter wears out and compacts, their root growth slows down and the plants quit growing. Prune them back by 30 to 40 percent, reset them into well-prepared soil, and water them thoroughly. Apply a high-phosphate root stimulator soon after you replant them.