Here are some azalea varieties recommended by Kunso Kim, curator of horticultural collections at the botanical gardens, and their approximate bloom times:

Early-blooming, first and second week of April - Kurume hybrids called Hinode Giri, Snow, Coral Bells, Pink Pearl, Flame; Delaware Valley White, Poukhanense, a Korean azalea; Vittata, a Chinese azalea; and Mucronatum, a Southern Indian hybrid.

Mid-season, late April through early May - Southern Indian hybrids George Tabor and Formosa; Sunglow, Carla hybrid; Glenn Dale varieties Ben Morrison, Martha Hitchcock and Glacier.

Late-blooming, mid-late May -Macrantha Red, Indica azalea; Gumpo White and Gumpo Pink, Satsuki hybrids.

AZALEAS AT A GLANCE

COMMON NAME: Azalea. Kurume hybrids are the most popular of the evergreen azaleas. Other hybrids gaining popularity in Virginia include: Gable, Glenn Dale, Robin Hill and Girard hybrids; Japanese Satsuki hybrids offer different flower colors and color patterns, including spots, stripes and some flowers where petals are half one color and half another. Deciduous azaleas, which lose their leaves in winter, come in yellows to reds.

SPECIES: Rhododendron

SIZE: 2-5 feet tall, 2-6 feet wide

GROWTH: Slow to medium

EXPOSURE: Dappled shade best, such as filtered sun or morning sun with shade after 1 p.m. Need protection from wind and intense afternoon sun.

SOIL: Acidic, humus-rich soil. Fertilize with material for acid-loving plants April-May but not after July 1. Ideal pH or acidity is 4.5-6.0; if the acidity is higher the foliage may appear yellow. Test soil to determine pH. Lower pH by mixing 1+ pounds of ground sulfur per 100 square feet into soil. Clay soil needs organic matter such as leaf mold from the woods, well-rotted leaves, compost or peat moss.

FLOWER: Funnel-shaped flowers. Many colors from reddish-violet to red, crimson, purple, pink and white. Bloom April-May, sometimes into early June.

MULCH: Organic mulches such as leaves, pine bark or pine straw.

PLANT: Azaleas resent deep planting and ``wet feet.'' Dig hole twice diameter of root ball or container and only as deep. Some people recommend that azaleas sit on top of soil if the soil is clay and mound organic-rich soil around plant. Cover plant with mulch as an insulator and moisture retainer. Transplant in dormant season in fall or very early spring.

PRUNE: After flowering and before July, when next year's flower buds develop.

PROBLEMS: Azalea lacebug, aphids, leaf miners and scale; root and crown rot, leaf gall and petal blight. Planting properly and in right location will help cut down on problems.

Sources: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Norfolk Botanical Garden, McDonald Garden Center

EASY TO ROOT

1. After azaleas have finished blooming, clip supple twigs 4-5 inches below outer tip. Strip off bottom three to four leaves.

2. Dip cut end in water, then in rooting powder such as Rootone. Fill small pots, 3-4 inches in diameter, with a light potting soil. Using a pencil, make a hole in the soil of each pot and put the cutting in the hole. Don't rub off the rooting powder. Gently tap soil around cuttings.