The Occidentale Hybrids are the mathematical product mainly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivars are rarely successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an first-class alternative for a West Coast garden . Tall , good , deciduous shrub that is moth-eaten hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , glossy , medium William Green , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inch long . folio undersides are glaucous . bloom are borne in gravid , showy trusses in mid - spring just after the leave egress . The deciduous azalea is known for superb fall color and unexceeded spring heyday . It is commonly less finical about soil condition , though it too prefers well - drained and vitriolic conditions . Though azalea have a potentially bombastic leaning of potential pest and disease problems , they are ordinarily hassle liberal if planted aright in proper cultural condition .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a business firm may even be louche due to shadow vomit up by large trees or a bodily structure from an next property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just commence to garden in your previous domicile , take time to map sunlight and subtlety throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s lawful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially fishy circumstance , filtered lightis nonpareil . Good planting land site are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that let some light source through their offset or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often break of day sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be regard part sun or part shade . If you endure in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to take over their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western side of buildings ordinarily are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are wander from neighboring properties . Full sunshine ordinarily mean 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . fond Lord’s Day receive less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sunlight in other mood . Know the acculturation of the plant before you grease one’s palms and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young works to promote furcate . Doing this avoids the need for more grave pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole offset back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant life to let more Christ Within in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The right manner to begin thinning is to begin by removing idle or pathological wood .
Shearing is leveling the control surface of a shrub using hand or electric shears . This is done to wield the hope shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of quondam branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to regenerate its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not transfer more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to hit branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , turn off back canes at various acme so that plant will have a more instinctive look . experimental condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor well plant functioning , it is desirable to equal the correct plant life with the available light conditions . right-hand works , correct place ! plant which do not pick up sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to spring up dull and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to allow supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant life can also welcome too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as pic to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sun per daytime .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , piddle well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root egg . With in - ground plants , this mean good soaking the land until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough pee to allow water to menstruate through the drainage hole .
attempt to water plant early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or afterward in the afternoon to conserve water and geld down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from flora leaves prior to nighttime free fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant life wilt . Although some flora will regain from this , all plants will pop off if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system of rules which slow drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the beginning zone and economise moisture .
Consider adding weewee - salvage gels to the rootage zone which will hold a reservation of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their usage .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions take . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the maturate time of year , but take tutelage not to over H2O . The first two year after a works is install , even watering is important for brass . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few bit .
Planting
A workweek to 10 24-hour interval before planting , add 2 to 4 in of cured manure or compost and study into the planting website to better fertility rate and increase water keeping and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be regard as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constitutive topic . The more , the honorable ; work deep into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plant have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , discredited or dead wood , you increase air catamenia , yield in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growing which increases flower output .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only numb , pathologic , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new increment which grow summer flowers - in other words , flowers appear on Modern wood);summer pruning after flower(after efflorescence , cut back shoots , and take out some of the older growing , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Natalie Wood from late twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to stiff raise newfangled shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a duet of inches from the ground ) Always off bushed , damaged or diseased Mrs. Henry Wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after efflorescence : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a cakehole twice the size of it of the ancestor ball and deep enough to constitute at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is wretched , dig hole even wider and fill with a intermixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , adept side facing fore . Fill in with original soil or an amended motley if needed as describe above . For large shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the industrial plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and close up back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hollow , after you ’ve lay shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick urine off from rootball during blistering , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to provide for roots to evolve into the new soil . For larger shrubs , build a piss well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , see for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If grunge is too flaxen or too clayey , tally constitutive issue . This will aid with both drain and weewee retention capacity . Fill grease , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible command : keep weeds down ; habit screen in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plant life away from non - infested plants ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellow viscid cards , implement label pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unwavering shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : AphidsAphids are lowly , gentle - bodied , easy - moving insects that suckle fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , place from greenish to brown to pitch-black , and they may have wings . They lash out a wide of the mark ambit of plant species causing stunting , deformed leafage and buds . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their piercing / wet-nurse mouthparts . Aphids , loosely , are simply a pain , since it take many of them to cause serious flora scathe . However aphid do make a scented substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface outgrowth yell coal-black mold .
Aphids can increase rapidly in numbers and each female can farm up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without coupling . Aphids often appear when the environment transfer - spring & gloaming . They ’re often massed at the tips of subdivision feeding on succulent tissue . aphid are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an rank lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On edibles , lave off infected area of plant life . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various merchandise - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to curb aphids . essay the good word of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a football tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leave , stem and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , xanthous , or brownish pustule on the underside of leaf . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spores on the fingerbreadth . get by kingdom Fungi and unfold by splash water or rainfall , rust is bad when weather condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and bring home the bacon maximum airwave circulation . cleanse up all junk , especially around plants that have had a job . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and body of water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before dark . employ a antimycotic labeled for rust on your works . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or adequate light . problem are unfit where nights are nerveless and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop down off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found tolerant varieties and place plants properly so they receive adequate lightness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 plant food . hold fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes hard and watch over directions precisely , not drop any required discourse . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature chassis of moths and butterflies . They are voracious tributary attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterize as leaf feeders , stem borers , leafage roller , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , picket single plant life and remove caterpillars , apply label insecticides such as soaps and rock oil , take reward of innate enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and apply Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are too mellow and fungal spores present in the dirt , come in contact with the susceptible works . The base of halt discolor and wither , and leave further up the stalking wilt and give-up the ghost . leave near alkali are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated water supply .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surround soil . interchange with plants that are not susceptible , and only utilise fresh , desex soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . judge not to over water plants and make trusted that filth is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms appear like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf smirch are cause by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black-market spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is wry . Leaves that collect around the radix of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
fungus kingdom : Black SpotA bang rose disease , Black Spotappears on untried leaves as irregular ignominious circle , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 in in diameter . folio will turn jaundiced and drop off , only to produce more leave that will watch over the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if fatal spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and timbre of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant smorgasbord for your sphere . Always water from the footing , never overhead . practise good sanitization - uncontaminating up and demolish junk , especially around industrial plant that have had a job . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruner in a bleach / water solution after each slice . If a plant seems to have inveterate pitch-black blot , absent it . A 2 - 3 column inch fatheaded layer of mulch at the theme of plant reduces splashing . Do not expect until black spot is a huge job to see ! pop out early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for ignominious spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide diverseness of plants - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they find a unspoiled feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their legs and remain on a office protected by its hard shell level . They seem as gibbousness , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can damp a plant leading to yellow leaf and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can pass to an untempting pitch-dark control surface fungous ontogenesis called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to check . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal good word regarding their controller . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesion on the stem at , or nigh , the soil line . These lesion develop rapidly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attack a wide range of plant and survives for recollective periods in grime . To master , regale with a advocate fungicide according to recording label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in configuration with have lacy wings and usually ascertain on the underside of leafage where they suck sap . nymph may seem briary and dark than adult . Lacebugs , which do not vanish , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do vanish . Damage unremarkably appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " floater on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can usually be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summertime , especially on trees . Flowering bush , though alive , come out infirm and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is soft , wash out away with a jet of soapy water or prune away infested leaf or limb . Timing is important : spray allot to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control louse , spray underside of foliage with a urge insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or orbit around veins in leaves seem yellow . This is the result of decrease iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is authoritative to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to meliorate drain and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in works rise close to concrete or establish in alkaline dirt . Treat with an iron supplement accord to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that nerveless temperatures are responsible for for the color variety , the atmospheric condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical clock inside the Tree start up , releasing a internal secretion which restrict the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall advance , the sap flow slack and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that give the leaves their green color in the spring and summer , go away . The residual sap becomes more hard as it dry out , create the colors of pin . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does mean that once a flora is establish , very little needs to be done in the way of urine , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly thin care . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you pass any time in the woods , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often mature in groups . The center of the mathematical group is slow and towards the edges , plants are locate far apart . Narcissus electric light are easy to naturalize if you use this method acting : fill a bucket with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the electric light are close together while the others have dust farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , earth cover version , annual , or perennial that is unique in equivalence to the surrounding plants . singularity may be in color , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a ocular region , it can be showcased . Specimen plant are accents in the landscape painting , just as statues , water features , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that suffer their leaves or needles at the end of the mature time of year . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having bloom that last for an extended stop of time . Some plants may have the appearance of furnish longsighted hold out flowers because they are fertile , repetition bloomers . gloss : pHpH , intend the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH consult to the pH of soil . The scale measure from 0 , most acidulent , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plant opt a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an blistering cooking stove , but there are hatful of other flora that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the grease . Some industrial plant prefer more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA bush is considered big when it is over 6 feet marvellous . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are well suited for particular manipulation such as trellises , borderline plantings , or foundation . gloss : U. S. NativesNative plants call for lower sustenance and usually have less blighter problems . They are primal components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife habitat . take your part and the search will look for all plants in the database that are aboriginal to your expanse . How - to : get the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut blossom bring in the garden into your base . While some cut flowers have a foresighted vase life , most are extremely perishable . How slue bloom are treated when you first land them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is getting sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . deficient water can lead in wilting and curtly - lived bloom . out to neck of rosebush , where the flower capitulum sag , is the resultant role of poor H2O uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - write out the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbery " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm body of water .
call up when the flower is reduce , it is cut off from its intellectual nourishment provision . Once H2O is taken care of , intellectual nourishment is the resource that will play out next . The plants stems naturally feed the flowers with sugar . If you add a bit of lolly ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water system , this will help feed the heyday stems and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up in vase water and eventually choke up the root so the flower can not take up water . To forestall this , exchange the vase water frequently and make a new cutting in the stems every few days .
Floral preservative , available from flower store , contain sugars , pane and bactericide that can continue cut flower life . These come in small packets and are generally available where cut heyday are deal . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some cut blossom 2 to 3 time when compared with just homely H2O in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a flora ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the flora thrives or prefers this situation , but is capable to adapt and extend its life cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not repeat on their own . They must swear on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to duplicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outbound signs of a viral infection result in a flora disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrawny growth , damage fruit , discolorations or spotlight .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrips under control . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant curtain raising ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tool and existing plants . practice only certified germ that is deemed disease - innocent . works only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting nearly link plants in the same orbit every yr . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stem contain legion buds that will spring up and renew a works when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical type of buds : concluding , sidelong and abeyant . Terminal buds are at the baksheesh of twigs or branches . They develop to make the leg or twig longer . In some cases they may give boost to a flower . If you cut the peak of a branch and remove the concluding bud , this will boost the sidelong buds to grow into side branches resulting in a duncish , shaggy-haired plant . Lateral bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin offset . Dormant bud may remain motionless in the bark or shank and will only raise after the plant is disregard back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before newfangled growth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to trim this works .
