From our perspective, our growth and flowering are intrinsically tied to the seasons, driven by sunlight and temperature. We are evergreen shrubs, but our activity level fluctuates throughout the year. Our primary growth spurt occurs in the warm, sunny months of spring and summer. This is when we channel our energy into producing new stems and leaves, followed by our vibrant flower clusters. As daylight shortens and temperatures drop in autumn, our metabolic processes slow significantly. We enter a period of dormancy during the winter, where our focus is on survival, not growth. Fertilizing us during this dormant phase is not only wasteful but can be harmful, as the nutrients cannot be utilized and may leach away or even damage our roots.
To support our optimal growth and prolific flowering, you should align your feeding schedule with our active growth period. The first application of fertilizer should come in early spring, just as you notice the first signs of new growth emerging from our branches. This provides us with the essential nutrients needed to fuel the initial burst of leaf and stem development. A second application should follow in late spring or early summer, as we are shifting our energy towards bud formation and flowering. This mid-season boost ensures we have the resources to produce and sustain our large, showy blooms throughout the flowering season. In most climates, a third and final application can be made in mid-summer to extend the floral display.
Not all plant food is created equal, and we have specific preferences. To promote the abundant flowering you desire, we respond best to a fertilizer that is relatively high in phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio). A formulation such as 10-30-20 or a bloom-booster fertilizer is ideal. Phosphorus is the nutrient that most directly supports strong root development, bud formation, and flowering. While nitrogen (the first number) is crucial for our green, leafy growth, too much of it can encourage excessive foliage at the expense of flowers, making us lush but not very showy. A slow-release granular fertilizer is an excellent choice as it provides a steady, consistent supply of nutrients over several months, mirroring a natural, sustained release of nourishment.
Before you fertilize, there are two critical steps to ensure our health. First, we must be well-hydrated. Always water us thoroughly a day before applying fertilizer. Applying fertilizer to dry soil can shock our root system and cause root burn. Second, cease all fertilization by late summer, at least six to eight weeks before the first expected frost in your area. Fertilizing too late in the season encourages tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before winter, making it highly susceptible to cold damage. This weakens us and can jeopardize our survival through the colder months.
