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Ask a Gardening QuestionBeginner Gardening Questions & Guides: First time gardener questionsAzalea Being Eaten

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Azalea Being Eaten

#1 · 3rd September 2023, 10:04 am

I have an Azalea that was bought for me in a pot and I transferred it to the garden 2 years ago. It just doesn't seem to thrive like the ones I see in other gardens. Last year it got a few flowers but not many and they didn't seem to last long. As you can see from the photos, it seems to be being a main course for slugs or lacewing beetle (been googling - a lot!). There are some buds showing but I've no idea what to do with it to give it the best chance possible.

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#2 · 3rd September 2023, 5:58 pm

Hi @diane-g

Thanks for your question about your Azalea.

It doesn't look like slug damage. They tend to leave jagged rasped edges. It could be a beetle looking at it. The holes are much neater. It could also be, and get excited about this, leafcutter bees! Nibbling out perfect circles to block their egg cavities up with their young in for next year! Exciting and wonderful.

Don't worry too much; it looks healthy enough to withstand it. Secondly, Azaleas are super slow to grow, so don't panic. It's not much. They won't. But you will get fabulous spring flowers, so get excited about that!

An autumn mulch wouldn't go a miss or a quick liquid feed. More on plant feeds here and below!