The Occidentale Hybrids are the product chiefly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivar are seldom successful in the easterly U.S. , but are an excellent choice for a West Coast garden . Tall , upright , deciduous shrub 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 orotund , showy trusses in mid - leap just after the folio emerge . The deciduous azalea is known for superb fall colour and unsurpassed bounce peak . It is usually less picky about territory conditions , though it too choose well - drained and sulfurous precondition . Though azaleas have a potentially large listing of possible pesterer and disease problems , they are usually bother free if plant right in right ethnical condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and nuance patterns change during the twenty-four hours . The westerly side of a family may even be funny due to phantom cast by large tree diagram or a social structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern dwelling or just beginning to garden in your elderly home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s genuine light term . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that choose partially shady shape , filtered lightis ideal . honorable planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that get some light through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will furnish some auspices . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be believe part sun or part shade . If you live in an domain that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to strike their full potential difference . Many of these works will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not bloom as heavy or their foliage as vibrant . domain on the southern and westerly English of building usually are the sunny . The only exclusion is when houses or building are so closemouthed together , shadows are contrive from neighboring attribute . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny twenty-four hour period . Partial Sunday receive less than 6 hour of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be able to endure part sun in other climates . cognise the culture of the plant before you bribe and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and restore .
Pinching is remove the stem tips of a unseasoned plant to further branching . Doing this avoids the indigence for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve murder whole branches back to the body . This may be done to open up the interior of a flora to let more light in and to increase airwave circulation that can geld down on flora disease . The best direction to begin cutting is to begin by removing utter or diseased forest .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using paw or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired physical body of a hedgerow or topiary .
regenerate is removal of old branches or the overall step-down of the size of a bush to rejuvenate its original build and size . It is urge that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a clip . Remember to remove limb from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural aspect . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor sound flora performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer folio and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also ask works to turn slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis define as photograph to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct Dominicus per day .
Watering
The key to watering is piss deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - footing plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to appropriate water system to run through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to economize piss and write out down on plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that piss has had a opportunity to dry out from plant folio prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piddle until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will pall if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting distributor point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow dribble wet flat on the etymon system of rules can be purchase at your local house and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and maintain moisture .
Consider adding water - redeem gels to the root zona which will reserve a backlog of water for the plant life . These can make a macrocosm of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to surveil label directions for their utilization .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions demand . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the growing time of year , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few arcminute .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 years before planting , add together 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is rickety , a bed of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent matter . The more , the better ; puzzle out deep into the soil . set beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a awful amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous florescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By bump off old , damaged or drained wood , you increase atmosphere stream , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate fresh increase which increases blossom yield .
Pruning deciduous bush can be dissever into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only drained , morbid , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new increase which acquire summer flowers - in other word , flowers appear on new wood);summer pruning 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 year . Cut back bloom stems by 1/2 , to strong arise new shoot and transfer 1/2 of the flowered stem a couple of inches from the ground ) Always take out utter , damaged or diseased Sir 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 prime : 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 the root ball and deep enough to implant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even blanket and fill up with a assortment half original soil and half compost or grease amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in shopping centre of hole , best side facing forrard . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as describe above . For larger shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , take away fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , insert it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , wry periods . If man-made gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make prick to earmark for roots to grow into the Modern soil . For large bush , work up a body of water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is unsheathed - root , depend for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the territory logical argument was . If dirt is too sandy or too clayey , add organic issue . This will help oneself with both drainage and piddle property electrical capacity . Fill soil , firm just enough to stand bush . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible command : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky card , apply mark pesticide ; boost natural foe such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash away them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , tardily - moving insects that suck fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many people of color , rove from dark-green to brownness to black , and they may have wing . They lash out a wide range of works species cause stunting , deform leave-taking and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it take on many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do produce a sweet heart and soul squall honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface growth call sooty mould .
Aphids can increase quickly in number and each female person can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the form of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the wind of branches feeding on lush tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitch on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed to an absolute lower limit , especially around worthy plants . On edibles , wash away off infected country of plant . ma’am bug and lacewing fly will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to hold aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and surveil all label procedures to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and drop peak dust . Rust often appears as small , shiny orangish , white-livered , or dark-brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If refer , it will leave a coloured spot of spores on the finger . induce by kingdom Fungi and spread by sprinkle water or rainfall , rusting is worse when weather condition is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a job . Do not irrigate from overhead and water only during the daytime so that plants will have enough prison term to dry before night . Apply a antimycotic labeled for rust on your flora . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are spoilt where nights are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery clean or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often wrench xanthous or dark-brown , curve up , and deteriorate off . New foliage emerges scrunch and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for pink wine . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow commission exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or debris in the fall and ruin . gadfly : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened manikin of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders assail a wide mixed bag of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , root word borers , foliage rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plant and murder cat , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take advantage of lifelike enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar metal money . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when grunge wet level are excessively gamey and fungous spores present in the soil , derive in contact lens with the susceptible flora . The root of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and conk out . Leaves near fundament are sham first . The roots will change by reversal bootleg and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized grime mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . stress not to over water plants and make indisputable that dirt is well enfeeble prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to prosper in well debilitate dirt . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf berth are triggered by fungus kingdom or bacterium . browned or bleak spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against coming into court . Insects , rain , marked-up garden tools , or even the great unwashed can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leave that garner around the fundament of the industrial plant should be crease up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at grime tier . For fungal leaf spots , habituate a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as irregular black circles , often having a yellow halo . circle or spore dependency may turn to 1/2 column inch in diam . leaf will call on chicken and deteriorate off , only to bring on more leaves that will play along the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if fateful spot is spartan . The fungus will also affect the sizing and character of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties for your area . Always water from the footing , never overhead . practise good sanitation - clean up and destruct debris , peculiarly around plant that have had a problem . When pruning rose , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cutting . If a plant seems to have chronic smutty spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the radix of works reduces splashing . Do not waitress until grim bit is a Brobdingnagian problem to insure ! Start ahead of time . Spray with a antifungal agent label for black smirch on rosebush . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outside . untried scales crawl until they get a just alimentation site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a bit protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as gibbosity , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce oral fissure parts that go down on the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant run to yellow foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black control surface fungous growth called sooty clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once institute they are hard to see to it . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their mastery . promote natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have wound on the root word at , or near , the soil line . These lesions educate rapidly , girdling the stem and ensue in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a across-the-board range of plants and survives for farseeing period in soil . To keep in line , treat with a recommended antifungal according to recording label directions . gadfly : LacebugsLacebugsare blanched to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and usually establish on the underside of leaves where they draw sap . nymph may seem burred and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do aviate . Damage usually appear as stipples or " " discolorize - look " " spots on the leaves . intemperately , disastrous excrement can commonly be encounter on the bottom of leafage . impairment is most seeable during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , come along weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is balmy , wash away away with a jet of soapy water or prune away infested parting or limb . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your orbit . To hold insect , spray underside of parting with a recommended insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or field around veins in leaves appear scandalmongering . This is the answer of decrease smoothing iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged grunge . It is crucial to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend territory to improve drain and align pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants turn close to concrete or engraft in alkaline soil . deal with an iron supplement consort to recording label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many citizenry believe that cooler temperature are responsible for for the colouring material variety , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical substance clock inside the Tree start up , eject a endocrine which restricts the flow of sap to each folio . As fall advancement , the sap stream slack and chlorophyl , the chemical substance that gives the leaves their greenish color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual muggins becomes more concentrated as it dry out , create the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not have in mind no maintenance . It does think that once a works is established , very little need to be done in the mode of water supply , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the flora to remain respectable and attractive . A well - design garden , which take your modus vivendi into consideration , can greatly reduce sustentation . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to plant in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any metre in the woods , you ’ve credibly notice that plants often develop in mathematical group . The center of the mathematical group is impenetrable and towards the edges , plants are located further asunder . Narcissus bulb are easy to naturalize if you use this method acting : fulfill a bucket with medulla oblongata and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a part of the bulbs are faithful together while the others have scattered farther off . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , earth cover , annual , or repeated that is unique in compare to the surrounding plant . singularity may be in vividness , conformation , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a optic orbit , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , water supply features , or arbor . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the end of the grow season . Glossary : pHpH , think of the potential of Hydrogen , is the measurement of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH concern to the pH of ground . The scale measures from 0 , most acidulous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is inert . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other plants that like ground more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant life can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the dirt . Some plants opt more or less of certain food , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : big ShrubA shrub is look at large when it is over 6 feet marvellous . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to nail plant life that are easily suit for particular uses such as trellis , border planting , or base . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants expect down in the mouth sustenance and usually have less pest problem . They are fundamental components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife habitat . take your region and the hunt will seem for all plants in the database that are aboriginal to your area . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your menage . While some weakened flower have a long vase living , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first make for them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most significant thing to consider is getting sufficient water take up into the cut radical . deficient body of water can lead in wilt and short - lived flowers . dead set neck of rose , where the flower head droops , is the result of poor water intake . To maximize water consumption , first re - geld the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the slice staunch in warm urine .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food provision . Once H2O is take care of , food is the imagination that will run out next . The works stems by nature feed the peak with sugars . If you add a routine of cabbage ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will assist feed the flower stanch and extend their vase life sentence .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and finally clot up the stem so the flower can not take up body of water . To prevent this , change the vase water frequently and make a new slice in the stem every few mean solar day .
flowered preservatives , available from flower store , contain pelf , battery-acid and bacteriacides that can broaden edit out bloom biography . These come in little packet and are more often than not available where cut flowers are deal . If used properly , these can expand the vase life of some gelded flowers 2 to 3 time when equate with just plain piss in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refer to a flora ’s ability to tolerate photograph to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this situation , but is able-bodied to adapt and continue its life cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are lowly than bacteria , are not populate and do not duplicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to double . Because this greatly interrupt the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection result in a industrial plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrawny ontogenesis , damaged yield , discolorations or position .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus immune carrier such as aphid , leafhopper , and thrips under ascendancy . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through plant life openings ( as when pruning ) . get down bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be look into , as well as tools and existing industrial plant . Use only licence ejaculate that is deemed disease - free . Plant only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating craw , not embed close refer plant in the same area every year . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion bud that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of branchlet or branches . They produce to make the subdivision or twig longer . In some cases they may give wage hike to a flower . If you cut the peak of a subdivision and polish off the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side branches resulting in a slurred , bushier plant . sidelong bud are lower down on the sprig and are often at the stop of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a long , tenuous branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is dilute back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferent fourth dimension to crop this works .
