Question: What kind of soil mix do I need to grow azaleas? I hear they’re difficult.

Answer: Plant azaleas in a highly organic acidic mixture. In East Texas, that can mean little more than adding some peat moss or compost at planting time, but in the rest of the state you’re probably going to need to plant them in 18-inch-deep beds consisting half of sphagnum peat and half of finely ground pine bark mulch. You’ll have to topdress each spring, immediately after they finish blooming, with another 1 to 2 inches of the same mix. Part of the bed should be above the surrounding grade to ensure perfect drainage.

Q: How do I prune my azaleas?