About This Plant
Mandarin Lights is a deciduous azalea with bright orange flowers in spring. It comes from the Northern Lights series of deciduous azaleas, bred at the University of Minnesota for exceptional winter hardiness. It grows best in part sun with acidic, well-drained soil.
Planting & Care
How to Plant
Choose a spot with 3–6 hours of sun, ideally morning sun. Dig a hole 2–3 times as wide as the pot but no deeper, with the top of the root ball slightly above ground level. Loosen circling roots and backfill with the native soil. Prefers acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water deeply after planting and add 2–3 in of mulch, keeping it off the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 4-7.
Watering & Feeding
Water deeply 1–2 times a week for the first season, about 1 in per week. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during heat and dry spells. Feed in spring with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Blooms in spring: prune right after flowering so you keep next year's buds. Remove dead or damaged branches any time. Mulch in late fall to protect roots through the first winter.