Some of the smaller, even dwarf, evergreens might suit. They need ericaceous compost.

Yes, they do need an acid soil so if your soil is alkali you can always grow them in pots with ericaceous compost as previously mentioned. They also like to be kept moist.

thank you ojibway 93 for advice. Tony

Thankyou wildrose for advice. Tony

If you are going to keep them in pots you will definitely need the smaller azaleas. Remember to put feet under the pot so there is free drainage and site them in semi-shade.

If you live in a hard water area, you will need to water them with rainwater (or cold tea)

That's a lot of cold tea Andrew :-)

thankyou for tip Andrewr. Kettle on as we type(lol). My kind of plant . Take care Tony

Thankyou moongrow for advice. The Azalia i have in mind is a dwarf species (40 cm max growth). Take care Tony

Which one are you thinking of Tony?

Hi Moon growe Its a dwarf type Azalia according to lable its 40 cm full height. Waiting for my good ladies veiws on purchase. Take care Tony

Tony just because the label says it will only grow to 40cm doesn't mean it is necessarily true. If it is a true species azalea it will be named. If you are considering buying from somewhere like Lidl I would recommend you think again, the info on a lot of their shrubs is inaccurate.

Thankyou Moon growe Will take your advice on boared. The Azalia,s are on sale at our local garden centre but unable to get there at present due to a busy schedual. Will keep you posted on purchase. Take care Tony

Just do a Google search to check out the azaleas before you but them Tony.

Thankyou moon growe Will do straight away. Take care Tony

Moongrowe been to google site. Blown away with such beautyful Azalias. Colours really nice. Will test my soil tomorrow. Thankyou Tony

Well if you have alkaline soil you will need to grow in containers long term... So, yes do check out! There is a huge variety of azaleas try Glendoick Nursery if you want good ones!

Hi Moon growe Afraid its a container prospect soil not suitable but all is not lost a freind reckons i can surround plant in ericasius compost before planting in position. Advice much appreciated. Will veiw Glendoik Nursery now. Take care Tony

If you are planting in a container you will need to use all ericaceous compost not a mixture of soil and compost. If the soil in your garden is alkaline you will have problems growing in the garden even if you add ericaceous compost.

Thankyou moongrowe point taken. I really cannot imagine how i overlooked such an attractive plant. We have a large container ready and purchased the ericaceous soil today. Weather permitting this weekend we hope to veiw a plant via several nursaries . Your input very much appreciated. Take care Tony

Hi Tony sorry been away for a couple of days. Your large container does have drainage holes in it?

Hi Moongrowe Yes container is pot 16 ins deep and app 18 by 18 (square pot) but we havent decided on which Azalia yet. So many beautyful colours. We have the soil and appreciate the advice you have given. Take care Tony

Make sure you raise the pot up on 'feet' of some sort to facilitate drainage. I would also put J-cloth or similar across the bottom to prevent anything actually entering the pot from below and have a layer of gravel or broken clay pots to help with drainage.

Points taken Moongrowe,never would have thought of j cloth to stop pest,s. Great tip which i will include. Take care Tony