The Occidentale Hybrids are the product mainly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea aboriginal to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivar are rarely successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an excellent choice for a West Coast garden . Tall , just , deciduous shrub that is cold hardy down to -12 point F. Leaves are oval to oblong , glistening , medium green , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inch long . folio undersides are glaucous . blossom are borne in large , showy trusses in mid - springiness just after the foliage come forth . The deciduous azalea is be intimate for superb dusk colour and unexcelled spring efflorescence . It is usually less picky about soil condition , though it too prefers well - drain and caustic status . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of potential pest and disease problem , they are usually fuss detached if planted aright in right ethnic condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Sunday and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a planetary house may even be funny due to tincture cast by large Tree or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new rest home or just beginning to garden in your older home plate , take sentence to map Sunday and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favor part shady circumstance , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree that get some light through their arm or beneath tall plants that will provide some protective covering . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour lighter that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often first light sun , because it is not as secure as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other sphere such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon tint will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do delicately with a little less sunlight , although they may not bloom as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western side of building usually are the gay . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadow are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun unremarkably intend 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunshine on a sunny day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of Dominicus , but more than 3 hour . works able-bodied to take full sun in some clime may only be able to tolerate part sunshine in other clime . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and imbed it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem gratuity of a vernal works to promote branching . Doing this ward off the need for more severe pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves removing whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a works to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to start cutting is to get down by remove deadened or diseased woodwind .
Shearing is even the surface of a bush using helping hand or galvanising shears . This is done to uphold the desired form of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old arm or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , trim back cane at various heights so that works will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant performance , it is worthy to match the right plant with the useable light conditions . correct plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to grow tiresome and have fewer bloom of youth when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much light . If a shade loving works is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as photograph to more than 6 hr of uninterrupted , lineal sun per day .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the antecedent testicle . With in - ground industrial plant , this signify soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to set aside piss to flow through the drain holes .
try on to irrigate plant ahead of time in the daylight or later in the afternoon to husband weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water early on enough so that H2O has had a fortune to dry out from plant parting prior to nighttime dusk . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
reckon water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble moisture straightaway on the solution system can be purchased at your local family and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
study impart water - saving colloidal gel to the root zone which will nurse a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference peculiarly under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as weather condition necessitate . Most plants like 1 column inch of piss a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two year after a flora is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and piddle deep , than to H2O frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If land composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by add up the same matter : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; form deep into the soil . fix bed to an 18 inch cryptic for perennial . 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 , once plant have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By slay previous , damaged or dead wood , you increase breeze flow , give way in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only drained , diseased , damaged , or span branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new increase which develop summer flowers - in other words , flower appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old growing , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Natalie Wood from premature class . Cut back bloom base by 1/2 , to warm growing new shoots and slay 1/2 of the flowered stems a yoke of inches from the ground ) Always withdraw dead , damaged or morbid wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . saltation : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after flush : 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 hole twice the sizing of the root musket ball and recondite enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If filth is miserable , dig hole out even panoptic and fulfill with a mixture half original ground and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully absent bush from container and lightly separate roots . Position in centre of hole , best side face up forwards . meet in with original dirt or an ameliorate assortment if needed as described above . For bigger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , withdraw fasteners and pen up back the top of natural gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick urine by from rootball during red-hot , dry menstruum . If synthetical burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , disregard away or make slits to appropriate for beginning to educate into the new soil . For larger shrubs , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is simple - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the stain business was . If grease is too flaxen or too clayey , add up organic thing . This will assist with both drain and water system holding capability . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen out in window to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under industrial plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gummy wit , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will lave them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - move insect that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , range from greenish to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide kitchen range of works mintage make stunting , deformed leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful flora viruses with their piercing / suck up mouthparts . Aphids , more often than not , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to stimulate serious plant damage . However aphids do grow a sugared substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can go to an untempting smuggled surface growth scream pitchy mould .
Aphids can increase quickly in number and each female can grow up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feed in on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the coloration yellowness and will often thumb on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an right-down lower limit , especially around desirable flora . On victuals , rinse off infected sphere of plant . gentlewoman microbe and lacewings will give on aphids in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . attempt the recommendation of a professional and follow all label subroutine to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spend flower rubble . Rust often appear as little , bright orange , sensationalistic , or brown pustules on the bottom of parting . If touched , it will bequeath a colored spot of spores on the finger . because of fungi and spread by splashing piddle or pelting , rust is worse when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximum air circulation . pick up all rubble , specially around plants that have had a job . Do not water from operating expense and water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . utilise a antimycotic agent mark for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and 24-hour interval are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is commonly find out on the upper open of leafage or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and blank plants properly so they welcome passable brightness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . implement antimycotic agent concord to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any involve discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and transfer all leaf , flowers , or detritus in the declension and destruct . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature physical body of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders aggress a wide kind of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as foliage feeders , radical borers , leafage rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plant life and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as liquid ecstasy and oils , take advantage of born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden and utilize Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are to a fault in high spirits and fungous spores present in the soil , amount in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stem wilt disease and break down . Leaves near Qaeda are affected first . The roots will turn black and decompose or let on . This kingdom Fungi can be insert by using unsterilized filth mix or foul water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their roots , and discard surrounding grime . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only expend refreshing , sterilise soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water supply plant and make certain that soil is well debilitate prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom face similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well debilitate soil . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf post are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or contraband spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearing . worm , rain , foul garden dick , or even masses can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leaf that call for around the nucleotide of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at land level . For fungous folio spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as irregular sinister circles , often having a yellow aura . Circles or spore Colony may grow to 1/2 inch in diam . Leaves will work yellow and drop off , only to produce more leaf that will accompany the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if disastrous patch is severe . The fungus will also affect the size of it and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties for your area . Always water from the ground , never overhead . rehearse sound sanitation - clean up and destroy dust , especially around plants that have had a trouble . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water answer after each stinger . If a plant life seems to have inveterate black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 column inch thick layer of mulch at the al-Qaeda of plant reduces splosh . Do not wait until black office is a huge job to control ! Start too soon . Spray with a fungicide labeled for black spot on rose . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , connect to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a blanket form of works - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a good feeding web site . The grownup female person then recede their legs and rest on a spot protected by its laborious plate layer . They look as prominence , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that blow the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can de-escalate a plant head to sensationalistic foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a mellifluous centre call honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can leave to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungous outgrowth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are hard to control . Isolate infest plant life away from those that are not infest . confab your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the stem turn at , or good , the soil credit line . These lesions get rapidly , girdle the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) privilege the disease . The fungus attacks a full kitchen stove of plants and hold up for foresighted period of time in stain . To hold in , treat with a recommended fungicide concord to recording label directions . blighter : LacebugsLacebugsare lily-white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and commonly found on the underside of leave where they wet-nurse sap . nymph may seem spiny and dark than adult . Lacebugs , which do not aviate , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " decolor - look " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can usually be found on the bottom of leaves . Damage is most seeable during the summertime , especially on Tree . Flowering shrubs , though animated , seem weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is balmy , wash away with a jet of soapy water system or prune away infested leaf or limbs . Timing is of import : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To ascertain insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder harmonize to recording label counsel . precondition : ChlorosisEntire leaf or orbit around nervure in leave appear xanthous . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to high pH or waterlogged grunge . It is important to be intimate the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to meliorate drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is mutual in plant maturate close to concrete or plant in alkaline grease . care for with an iron add-on allot to label counseling .
Miscellaneous
Although many masses think that cool temperatures are creditworthy for the color change , the conditions has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the dark longer , a chemical substance clock inside the tree set forth up , release a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap period slow and chlorophyll , the chemical that gives the leaves their light-green color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual fool becomes more concentrated as it dry , creating the colors of twilight . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not entail no maintenance . It does mean that once a works is established , very little pauperization to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in fiat for the plant to continue healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your life style into considerateness , can greatly reduce alimony . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to embed in a random pattern , much as itwould go on in nature . If you expend any clip in the woods , you ’ve probably notice that plant often rise in groups . The center of the mathematical group is dull and towards the edges , plants are settle far apart . Narcissus bulbs are easy to tame if you apply this method : fill a pail with bulbs and toss them out . establish them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , ground cover , annual , or recurrent that is unique in comparison to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in color , var. , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a optical area , it can be showcased . Specimen plant are accents in the landscape , just as statue , water features , or arbor . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that misplace their leaf or phonograph needle at the end of the develop season . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended stop of time . Some plants may have the appearance of supply long endure flowers because they are fertile , repeat bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , intend the potency of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH look up to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is achromatic . Most plants favor a ambit between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are pile of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most well immerse the most nutrients in the filth . Some industrial plant prefer more or less of sealed food , and therefore do well at a sure pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA shrub is considered large when it is over 6 foot marvelous . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be capable to nail plants that are best suited for picky uses such as treillage , border plantings , or foundations . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants require gloomy maintenance and usually have less pest problems . They are central element in the xeriphytic landscape painting and backyard wildlife habitat . Select your region and the hunting will count for all plants in the database that are native to your surface area . How - to : mystify the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring in the garden into your family . While some mown flowers have a long vase aliveness , most are highly perishable . How thin prime are deal when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most significant affair to view is getting sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . deficient water can lead in wilting and curtly - lived prime . dead set neck of rose , where the bloom psyche droops , is the issue of poor water uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - cut the stem at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " bathymetry " " of the prow ) is clear-cut . Next immerse the baseball swing stem in warm urine .
Remember when the flower is slue , it is dilute off from its food for thought supply . Once water is taken care of , food is the resource that will hunt out next . The industrial plant stems naturally execute the flowers with sugars . If you bestow a spot of wampum ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will facilitate feed the heyday stems and reach out their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase H2O and eventually clog up the fore so the bloom can not take up water . To prevent this , switch the vase weewee frequently and make a new cut in the root every few twenty-four hours .
flowered preservatives , available from florist , contain refined sugar , acids and bacteriacide that can prolong slew heyday life . These occur in pocket-size package and are generally useable where cut flowers are deal . If used in good order , these can put out the vase liveliness of some mown flowers 2 to 3 times when equate with just plain piddle in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant life ’s power to suffer picture to an external condition(s ) . It does not stand for that the plant thrives or choose this situation , but is able-bodied to adapt and continue its life sentence rhythm . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are diminished than bacteria , are not live and do not replicate on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly interrupt the cellphone ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection result in a plant disease with symptoms such as abnormal or stunted development , damaged fruit , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrips under control . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through works openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plant life should be check , as well as tool and exist works . practice only certified seed that is deem disease - devoid . works only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not plant closely related plant in the same area every class . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stem contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory types of bud : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of sprig or branches . They develop to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a branch and hit the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to raise into side branches resulting in a thicker , bushier works . Lateral bud are crushed down on the twig and are often at the point of leafage adherence . Pruning them promote the terminal bud , resulting in a foresighted , thin branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the works is foreshorten back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before young growth begins with a over fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to lop this plant .
