Greetings, Gardener. We appreciate your desire to provide for our needs. To understand our feeding schedule, one must first understand our nature. We are not heavy feeders like the hungry roses or the greedy lawns you tend to. We are sensitive souls, with delicate, fleshy roots that are easily damaged by harsh treatment or incorrect nourishment. Our primary request is perfect drainage and a cool root run; think of fertilizer as a gentle supplement, not a main course.
Our year is defined by two key phases. Our most significant growth spurt occurs in the cool, moist days of early spring, just after our winter flowers begin to fade and before the summer heat arrives. This is when we channel energy into producing new, healthy foliage that will sustain us throughout the year. Our second, quieter period of activity is in the early autumn, as the intense heat breaks. We use this time to strengthen our root systems and prepare the buds that will gift you with our famed fragrance in the depths of winter.
Align your feeding with our natural cycles for the best results. The single most important feeding should occur immediately after our spring bloom cycle concludes. This replenishes the energy we expended flowering and supports the surge of new vegetative growth. A second, lighter application can be made in late summer or very early autumn to support root development and bud set. Never feed us in late autumn or winter, as this can prompt a tender, vulnerable growth spurt that will be killed by frost, weakening us significantly.
We have a distinct preference for a gentle, balanced, and slightly acidic diet. A fertilizer labeled for acid-loving plants (such as those formulated for rhododendrons, azaleas, or camellias) is ideal, as it helps maintain the slightly acidic soil pH we crave. A slow-release formula is superior to a quick-release one, as it provides a steady, mild supply of nutrients that won't shock our sensitive roots. Organic options like well-rotted manure, leaf mold, or a specialized organic fertilizer for shrubs are also excellent choices, as they feed the soil ecosystem which in turn feeds us gently.
More is not better. In fact, over-fertilization is one of the quickest ways to cause us harm. An excess of nitrogen, in particular, can burn our roots, cause leaf drop, and encourage an overabundance of weak, sappy foliage at the expense of our precious flowers—and thus, our fragrance. Always err on the side of underfeeding. Follow the product's instructions carefully, and consider using even slightly less than recommended. Ensure the soil is moist before you apply any fertilizer, and water it in thoroughly afterwards to help distribute the nutrients and prevent root burn.
