PINE TREES AND AZALEAS
I HAVE LARGE PINE TREES IN MY FRONT YARD AND MY YARD IS ON A SLOPE. DO I HAVE TO HAVE RAISED BEDS TO PLANT AZALEAS IN? MY YARD IS COVERED WITH PINE CONES AND PINE NEEDLES. I WANT TO PLANT AZALEAS AND PUT DOWN STEPPING STONES. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Hi,
Thanks for writing. You don't have to have raised beds, and in fact, putting raised beds underneath your pines could hurt them.
I'd dig holes where you can and plant directly in the ground around your pines. Note, though: Because pines have such large and established root systems, you'll need to keep your azaleas very well watered while they become established.
---Justin, Senior Garden Editor, BHG.com
