Are azaleas in Augusta in danger due to climate change? Find out here

• Loss of tree canopy exposes azaleas to direct sunlight, which can burn them and increase susceptibility to disease.
• Warmer winters can cause azaleas to bloom early, making them vulnerable to subsequent hard frosts.
• Homeowners can protect azaleas by mulching, watering deeply, and choosing a planting spot with partial shade.

Azaleas, a popular flower closely associated with Augusta’s nickname, “The Garden City,” and intertwined with Masters Week, are considered adaptable plants that now must contend with the effects of climate change.

In Augusta, tree canopy loss from Hurricane Helene has affected azaleas, which prefer partial shade, said Campbell Vaughn, a University of Georgia Extension agent and columnist for The Augusta Chronicle.

“With canopy loss, it allows for direct sunlight, which can cause them to burn up,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said the loss of tree canopy will continue to negatively affect azaleas until replacement trees mature.

“The reason we grow azaleas in Augusta is because they do so well here,” Vaughn said. “They handle our heat and humidity and tend to thrive in most conditions.

“If you ride around town, you’ll see spots where they went from having some protection from the afternoon sun before the storm to getting brutal afternoon heat.”

Too much direct sunlight can also make azaleas more susceptible to disease and insect stress, Vaughn said.

Anthony Simmons, a Columbia County University of Georgia Extension agent, said climate change has led to higher average temperatures and a slowing, more erratic Arctic jet stream that brings harsher freezes.

“Increasing warm spells in the winter can lead to azaleas trying to bloom early,” Simmons said. “If those flower buds swell and then are hit by a hard frost, it can result in fewer flowers that year.”

More: What’s the weather like in Augusta on Easter, Masters Week? See here.

Both Simmons and Vaughn said increasing severe weather can lead to the loss of protective trees that help azaleas thrive.

“They do much better with some trees providing partial shade, especially from the harsh afternoon sun in the summer,” Simmons said. “Potential droughts are another problem that accompanies climate change.”

Tips to protect your azaleas

Simmons offered tips for homeowners looking to add azaleas to their landscapes:

• Use 2 to 3 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the base of the plant, to help retain moisture.
• Water deeply about once each week rather than frequently with light watering. Deep watering encourages strong roots, while light watering encourages shallow roots that dry out quickly, especially during drought.
• Choose a planting location protected from harsh winds and afternoon sun.

Despite the challenges, Vaughn said azaleas remain resilient.

“They can go for years without water once they’re well established,” he said. “They have a strong root zone and can handle drought. Obviously, they prefer water during dry periods, but they’re good survivors, and that’s why they’ve done so well downtown over the years.”

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.