Azalea Installation in St.Tammany Parish: How to Plant for Lasting Blooms

Encore Azaleas are a Northshore classic—and for good reason. These vibrant bloomers bring unmatched color to Louisiana landscapes each spring. But here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: proper azalea installation is the difference between lush, healthy growth and dead sticks by July.

At Cultivate, we help homeowners across Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell plant azaleas the right way—so they thrive, bloom longer, and keep coming back stronger every year.

Why May Is a Smart Time to Plant Azaleas

Most people associate azaleas with early spring, but May is actually a sweet spot for planting:

The threat of frost is completely gone

The soil is warm enough for roots to establish

Rainfall helps new plantings settle in

You beat the brutal summer heat (barely)

If you install them now and give them the right start, you’ll be rewarded with stronger roots and fuller blooms next season.

Soil & Sunlight: What Azaleas Actually Need

Azaleas are a little picky. If you want them to perform, here’s what to get right from day one:

Acidic soil (pH 5.5–6) — Covington soils usually work, but we test first to be sure

Well-drained soil — No sitting water, ever

Partial shade to dappled sunlight — Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal

Mulch and moisture — These shallow-rooted plants dry out fast without mulch

Pro tip: Azaleas hate “wet feet.” If your soil doesn’t drain well, we build raised beds or amend soil to give them the airflow they need.

How Cultivate: Install Azaleas That Last

We don’t just dig a hole and drop them in. Every azalea install we do follows a proven process to maximize bloom life and root strength:

1. Soil Testing & Bed Prep – We test your pH and drainage, then amend as needed.

2. Proper Spacing – Crowding kills airflow. We give them room to breathe and grow.

3. Raised Bed Construction (if needed) – Especially on clay-heavy or flat lots.

4. Root Score & Planting – We gently loosen roots so they don’t strangle themselves.

5. Mulch & Watering Setup – Irrigation adjustments or drip line installs for new beds.

We also recommend Encore® Azaleas for many of our clients—they’re bred to re-bloom, resist pests, and handle our heat and humidity.

Whether you’re selling a home, refreshing an old landscape, or just want to add a wow factor to your front beds—azaleas get attention.

Local Azalea Installation in Covington & the Northshore

We design and install azalea beds for homes across:

Covington

Mandeville

Abita Springs

Slidell

Madisonville

-And other areas across St. Tammany Parish

Whether you’re adding a new bed or reworking an overgrown one, we’ll design, plant, mulch, and irrigate it right.

Book Your Azalea Consultation Now

May is the last window before summer stress sets in. Don’t miss your shot at giving these beauties the best start possible.

Visit our Service Form for a free quote today! Or call us: 985-999-0309


Proudly serving Covington and the greater St. Tammany Parish area.