How to Fertilize and Care for an Azalea

Prune an azalea bush in the early to mid spring, depending upon which zone you live in, before new growth begins for the year. Otherwise, an azalea does not require much pruning, although you should remove dead or damaged sections at least once a year. You may also trim an azalea bush in the spring to the shape of your liking.

Fertilize an azalea with a product labeled specifically for azaleas. Do this between the beginning of May and the end of June. A good nutrient ratio for an azalea is 6-10-4, and you should use 2 pounds of fertilizer for every 100 square feet of garden space, according to the University of Missouri Extension.

Check the azalea bush regularly to see if it needs watering. Gently brush away some of the mulch around the plant and touch the soil to see if it feels moist. If it feels dry, water the azalea thoroughly so that moisture reaches 6 to 8 inches down into the soil. Only water when necessary, however, because too much water can damage the plant's shallow roots.

Weed the area around an azalea by hand if invasive plants begin to pop up. Avoid using a hoe to control weeds because the plant's shallow roots can become damaged.

Keep a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches thick around the azalea. Add mulch to maintain the layer's thickness as previous applications begin to decompose. Fall stands out as the best time to supplement the mulch layer, according to the University of Missouri Extension.