Shredded pine bark, acidic compost and well-rotted leaves are all good choices for amending a bed for azaleas. Acidifying agents and fertilizer should also be added to the soil. In the absence of a soil test, apply acid-based fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 2-1-1 at a rate of 2 to 4 pounds per 100 square feet of bed.

What compost is best for azaleas?

Like rhododendrons, azaleas require humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil that's moist but well-drained. Use peat-free ericaceous compost for pot-grown azaleas. They're shallow-rooted plants, so make sure the rootball sits just below the surface.

Do azaleas need special compost?

Plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias love soil which is acid-rich and will struggle to grow if your soil is more alkaline. Therefore, you can get around this issue by using an ericaceous compost, which is designed to introduce an acidic pH level into your soil.