Can I plant this in the garden?

[mothhawk]

My mum was given one of those house plant azaleas in a pot for Christmas.

I have a vague recollection that on one of the Beechgrove episodes, there was a throwaway line from Chris Beardshaw that they are quite hardy and can be planted outside come the springtime.

Can they go outside permanently, is Chris right, or was I just not paying proper attention?

[veggiechicken]

I "think" the one in my garden was a houseplant once!

[mothhawk]

Worth a try then. They are far too high maintenance to survive as houseplants here

[jackarmy]

I "think" the one in my garden was a houseplant once!

Yep mine too, its gorgeous in the spring.

[Martin H]

If your soil is alkaline it won't survive in the garden, so use plenty of ericaceous compost when you plant it out.

[mothhawk]

If your soil is alkaline it won't survive in the garden, so use plenty of ericaceous compost when you plant it out.

My soil is pretty much neutral. I'm not going to muck about trying to make the garden fit the plant, I expect my plants to fit into the garden and like what they are given. It will just have to take its chances. It's actually looking pretty sick already as the house is very warm and I can't be @rsed fetching in rainwater for it either. It's had to put up with good Leicestershire limey hard tap water. So I've probably already written its epitaph.

[rary]

Remember to harden it off before planting out

[Baldy]

Remember to harden it off before planting out

and when you plant it - dig a hole to put it in

(sorry rary)

[happyhumph]

My soil is pretty much neutral. I'm not going to muck about trying to make the garden fit the plant, I expect my plants to fit into the garden and like what they are given.

that's my philosophy as well - so I have no azaleas, camellias, etc..

[ekramul]

Great question.There are a lot out there.But i am just going to list my favorites to use when creating a garden.So question with yourself and do it.

[johnjohn]

and when you plant it - dig a hole to put it in

(sorry rary)

You're a bu§§er Baldy!

[mothhawk]

It's been standing outside in its pot since the end of January, and the leaves look healthier now than they did back then, so it's definitely hardy