The Occidentale Hybrids are the product chiefly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivars are seldom successful in the easterly U.S. , but are an excellent choice for a West Coast garden . Tall , erect , deciduous bush that is cold hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , glossy , intermediate green , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . Flowers are borne in expectant , showy truss in mid - spring just after the leafage emerge . The deciduous azalea is know for superb capitulation color and unsurpassed spring flowers . It is ordinarily less picky about soil condition , though it too prefers well - drained and acid conditions . Though azaleas have a potentially turgid inclination of possible pest and disease trouble , they are usually problem destitute if constitute correctly in right cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the twenty-four hour period . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by enceinte trees or a social structure from an contiguous prop . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your senior home , take time to represent sun and refinement throughout the Clarence Day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s on-key light condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many flora that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis nonsuch . effective planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some twinkle through their branches or beneath tall plant that will supply some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose brightness level that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Lord’s Day , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you dwell in an expanse that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon ghost will be receive . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potency . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not bloom as heavy or their foliation as vivacious . area on the southerly and western sides of construction usually are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full Lord’s Day usually mean 6 or more hour of lineal unobstructed sun on a sunny Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Partial Lord’s Day experience less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the cultivation of the plant before you bribe and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to promote furcate . Doing this keep off the penury for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning need removing whole branches back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to let more sparkle in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant life disease . The good way to begin thinning is to begin by take away dead or morbid wood .
Shearing is point the surface of a bush using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desire shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old arm or the overall reducing of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plant with cane , such as nandina , trim down back canes at various height so that plant will have a more raw smell . weather : Light and Plant SelectionFor dependable plant life functioning , it is desirable to equal the right plant with the usable clean status . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not welcome sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also wait plants to produce slower and have few bloom when lighting is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plant life with lamp . plant can also receive too much lighter . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leave of absence to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root musket ball . With in - terra firma plant life , this mean thoroughly soaking the grease until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , employ enough water to let H2O to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or subsequently in the good afternoon to conserve piss and rationalise down on plant stress . Do urine early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry out from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will snuff it if they wilt too much ( when they hand the permanent wilting item ) .
study water preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which easy drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local menage and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the source geographical zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the base zone which will defend a backlog of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference particularly under stressful condition . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is best to piddle once a week and water deep , than to water often for a few minutes .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If stain theme is imperfect , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be meliorate by lend the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By hit onetime , discredited or utter wood , you increase melodic line flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new outgrowth which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which develop summer flowers - in other parole , flower look on raw wood);summer lop after flower(after flowering , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers look on wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stem by 1/2 , to inviolable growing raw shoot and remove 1/2 of the bloom stems a couple of inch from the ground ) Always remove dead , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . leap : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after flower : 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 ball and bass enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is miserable , dig hole out even all-encompassing and fill with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or stain amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate root . Position in center of hole , proficient side face forth . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if need as identify above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and turn up back the top of instinctive gunny , tucking it down into muddle , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make certain that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick water supply off from rootball during spicy , dry period . If synthetic gunny , bump off if potential . If not possible , switch off away or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new grime . For larger bush , build a pee well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the al-Qaida ; this mark is probable where the soil line was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , add constitutive issue . This will aid with both drainage and water keeping electrical capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep sess down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; habituate a pensive mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; yap with chickenhearted viscous cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of pee will lave them off the works . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , easy - moving insects that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from gullible to Robert Brown to pitch-black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide grasp of plant species causing aerobatics , distort folio and buds . They can transmit harmful plant life viruses with their pierce / fellate mouthpart . Aphids , in general , are simply a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious industrial plant damage . However aphids do make a odorous center called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting bootleg aerofoil ontogenesis call coal-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without coupling . Aphids often appear when the environment change - spring & dusk . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on chickenhearted clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , particularly around desirable plant life . On edibles , wash off infected sphere of plant life . Lady bugs and lacewings will feed in on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare legion specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower rubble . Rust often come out as small , bright orange , yellow-bellied , or brown pustules on the underside of farewell . If touched , it will lead a colored spot of spore on the digit . have by fungus and spread out by splash water or rain , rust is bad when weather is damp .
Prevention and Control : implant insubordinate varieties and furnish maximum air circulation . strip up all detritus , especially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not irrigate from overhead and water only during the Clarence Day so that plants will have enough fourth dimension to dry out before Nox . utilise a fungicide tag for rust on your flora . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually determine on plants that do not have enough aviation circulation or tolerable light . Problems are bad where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery clean or gray fungus is usually chance on the upper surface of leave-taking or fruit . Leaves will often release yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and space plants properly so they receive adequate luminousness and melodic line circulation . Always water system from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . put on fungicides harmonize to label directions before problem becomes austere and stick with guidance exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and put down . cuss : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterflies . They are edacious feeders attacking a all-encompassing motley of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as foliage affluent , stem rock drill , leafage curler , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout private plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as goop and oils , take reward of natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when filth wet grade are excessively mellow and fungal spores present in the ground , come in striking with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrivel , and leaves further up the stalk wilting and go . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will become inglorious and rot or break . This fungi can be bring in by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminate water system .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their beginning , and discard surrounding soil . supercede with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilize filth mix . hold in back on fertilizing too . Try not to over weewee plants and make indisputable that soil is well drain prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soil . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are induce by fungi or bacteria . Brown or sinister spots and patch may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rainwater , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that collect around the al-Qa’ida of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . head off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil floor . For fungal leaf spots , utilise a commend fungicide according to label guidance .
fungus : Black SpotA live rose disease , Black Spotappears on immature leave of absence as irregular calamitous circle , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colony may grow to 1/2 inch in diameter . leaf will turn chicken and unload off , only to produce more leaves that will follow the same convention . rose may not make it through the wintertime if black spot is dangerous . The fungus will also affect the sizing and calibre of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties for your domain . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitation - clean up and ruin rubble , especially around plants that have had a problem . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water supply solution after each cut . If a plant life seems to have inveterate shameful spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch chummy layer of mulch at the base of plant life reduces splashing . Do not wait until black place is a vast problem to moderate ! Start early . Spray with a antimycotic agent labeled for blackened spot on rose . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , link up to mealy bug , that can be a job on a spacious variety of industrial plant - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they find a sound feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and stay on a smirch protected by its surd eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce mouth voice that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life leading to yellow foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can pass to an unattractive black control surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once constitute they are hard to see to it . Isolate infest plants aside from those that are not infested . look up your local garden gist professional or Cooperative Extension government agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foeman such as leechlike WASP in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the root at , or near , the soil communication channel . These lesions develop rapidly , girdle the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of the plant . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide reach of plants and endure for long periods in soil . To hold in , do by with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy extension and usually receive on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear prickly and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes befuddle with whiteflies that do fly . scathe commonly appear as stipples or " " bleached - appear " " smirch on the leaves . Hard , black excreta can usually be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summertime , particularly on trees . Flowering bush , though awake , appear rickety and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , lap out with a jet of oily water or prune away infest leaf or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leave or area around veins in foliage appear yellow . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged grease . It is crucial to have intercourse the pH necessity of plants . Prior to planting , amend dirt to improve drain and correct pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is vulgar in plants growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline filth . Treat with an branding iron supplement according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperature are responsible for the colour modification , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days acquire poor and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the tree starts up , unblock a hormone which restrict the catamenia of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap rate of flow slow and chlorophyl , the chemical that gives the leaves their green color in the spring and summer , vanish . The residuary sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not think no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is established , very little pauperism to be done in the way of weewee , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the works to persist sizeable and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly bring down maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to establish in a random form , much as itwould pass off in nature . If you drop any meter in the woods , you ’ve in all likelihood observe that plant often grow in group . The center of the group is thick and towards the bound , plants are located farther apart . Narcissus bulbs are promiscuous to naturalize if you use this method acting : fill up a pail with bulbs and cast away them out . Plant them where they fall . You will observe a destiny of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered further away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , ground book binding , annual , or perennial that is alone in comparison to the surrounding plants . singularity may be in color , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen plant in a visual area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accent in the landscape , just as statues , water supply features , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plant that lose their leave or needles at the closing of the growing time of year . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : let blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of provide long lasting flowers because they are prolific , repetition bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH have-to doe with to the pH of dirt . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plant prefer a compass between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an virulent range , but there are plenty of other works that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most well absorb the most food in the grime . Some plants choose more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA shrub is consider heavy when it is over 6 invertebrate foot tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suited for particular uses such as trellis , border plantings , or fundament . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants want lower alimony and usually have less pest problems . They are key components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife home ground . Select your region and the hunt will await for all plant life in the database that are native to your area . How - to : become the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut prime take the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a long vase life , most are highly perishable . How slue flowers are treated when you first get them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is stick sufficient water taken up into the cutting stem . deficient water can ensue in wilting and curtly - live prime . Bent neck of rosiness , where the blossom head droop , is the result of hapless water system uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular organization ( the " " plumbery " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut of meat stems in lovesome water .
Remember when the flower is tailor , it is cut off from its solid food supplying . Once water is taken care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems course feed the flowers with sugars . If you tot up a mo of wampum ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water system , this will help oneself eat the flower stems and protract their vase life .
bacterium will ramp up up in vase water supply and eventually clog up the stem so the bloom can not take up piddle . To forbid this , transfer the vase pee frequently and make a Modern cut in the fore every few days .
flowered preservatives , uncommitted from florist shop , contain lolly , acids and bactericide that can stretch out cut flower life . These come in small packets and are generally available where cut prime are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase living of some shortened flowers 2 to 3 time when compared with just unpatterned water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refer to a works ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not intend that the works thrives or prefers this situation , but is able to adapt and carry on its animation cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are small than bacteria , are not living and do not duplicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanism of their legion to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral contagion resultant in a plant disease with symptoms such as unnatural or scrawny ontogeny , damage fruit , stain or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhopper , and thrips under control . These plant eating insects disseminate viruses . virus can also be introduced by infected pollen or through industrial plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be check , as well as tools and existing plants . Use only certified semen that is take for disease - devoid . Plant only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate crops , not planting closely come to plants in the same sphere every year . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will develop and renew a works when make by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and sleeping . Terminal buds are at the gratuity of twigs or branch . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the gratuity of a branch and polish off the final bud , this will encourage the sidelong buds to grow into side branches lead in a thick , shaggy-coated plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , leave in a long , lean branch . sleeping bud may stay motionless in the bark or stem and will only grow after the industrial plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before young ontogeny set out with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferable time to prune this works .
