Upright , hardy , deciduous bush with prolate to oblong , 2 to 6 inch long leaves . Single , horn - determine , white flowers with yellowish blotches , 2 to 3 inches wide . flower are borne in huge , showy truss of 18 to 30 blooms per cluster . salad days time is from mid to recent spring . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like it ’s native counterpart , is known for excellent fall color and unsurpassed spring flowers . The deciduous azalea is commonly less picky about grime conditions , though it too prefers well - debilitate and bitter weather . The Knap Hill and Exbury azalea are English hybrids resulting from crosses between R. molle , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Though azalea have a potentially large tilt of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually problem destitute if set correctly in proper ethnic condition .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and wraith patterns change during the day . The western side of a theatre may even be umbrageous due to shadow cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an next property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home plate , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s true light consideration . condition : sink in LightFor many plants that favour partially shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose twinkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as substantial as good afternoon sun , can be turn over part sun or part shade . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be all right . In other field such as Florida , plant in a locating where good afternoon shade will be received . weather : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to take up their full potency . Many of these plants will do alright with a small less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . area on the southerly and westerly side of edifice normally are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when house or construction are so close together , trace are cast from neighboring properties . Full Lord’s Day usually mean 6 or more hour of unmediated unobstructed sunshine on a sunny day . fond sun encounter less than 6 hour of Sunday , but more than 3 hour . works able to take full Sunday in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the flora before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stem wind of a young plant to promote ramify . Doing this avoid the motive for more hard pruning subsequently on .
Thinning involve removing whole branches back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant life to let more light in and to increase breeze circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The good way to begin thinning is to start by bump off dead or pathologic woods .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using bridge player or galvanising shears . This is done to keep the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branch or the overall reduction of the size of it of a bush to restore its original manakin and sizing . It is recommended that you do not off more than one third of a industrial plant at a clip . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , ignore back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural aspect . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life execution , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available abstemious conditions . veracious plant , right home ! Plants which do not obtain sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow slow and have fewer flower when light is less than desirable . It is potential to offer supplemental inflammation for indoor plant with lamps . plant can also welcome too much Light Within . If a spook loving industrial plant is exposed to verbatim Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or induce leave-taking to be burn or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as pic to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sun per daylight .
Watering
The tonality to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lachrymation , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the soil until water has sink in to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in effect ) . With container grown works , apply enough water to allow weewee to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on plant emphasis . Do body of water early enough so that piss has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view pee preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slow drip wet directly on the stem system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool down the solution geographical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider bring water - write gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to watch label direction for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be keep equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most flora like 1 inch of piss a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to water system once a calendar week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting situation to meliorate fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If filth composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or clay , it can be improved by tot the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 column inch mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off 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 flowering shrubfor two cause : 1 . By removing sometime , discredited or drained Sir Henry Wood , you increase breeze flowing , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore new outgrowth which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , morbid , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , unexampled growth which produces summertime flower - in other Bible , prime seem 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 wood from previous class . Cut back blossom stalk by 1/2 , to impregnable grow new shoots and move out 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of in from the soil ) Always remove numb , damaged or diseased Sir Henry Joseph Wood first , no matter what character 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 . summertime after blossom : 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 size of it of the root ball and deep enough to institute at the same tier the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even broad and make full with a mixture half original grime and half compost or dirt amendment .
Carefully take out shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of mess , best side facing forward . satisfy in with original soil or an rectify mixture if needed as described above . For heavy bush , build a piddle well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve position shrub . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry full stop . If synthetic gunny , remove if potential . If not possible , cut by or make slits to allow for roots to evolve into the new ground . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is stark - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the grime line was . If filth is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will help with both drainage and body of water holding capacity . Fill filth , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
potential controls : keep dope down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; polish off infested works away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscous card , use tag pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable rain shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many semblance , range from green to brownness to black , and they may have wings . They round a wide image of flora coinage do acrobatics , distort leaves and bud . They can communicate harmful plant computer virus with their piercing / take up mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do bring on a cherubic center hollo honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can run to an unattractive black surface ontogeny called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without sexual union . Aphids often seem when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the crest of branches feeding on lush tissue paper . Aphids are attracted to the colour yellowness and will often hitch on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , peculiarly around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off infect area of works . madam bugs and lacewing will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to see to it aphids . attempt the recommendation of a professional and abide by all label function to a golf tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spend heyday debris . Rust often appears as low , bright orange , chickenhearted , or brown pustules on the undersurface of leaf . If allude , it will result a one-sided spot of spores on the fingerbreadth . do by fungus kingdom and circularise by splashing water or pelting , rusting is bad when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximum air circulation . strip up all detritus , especially around plant 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 clip to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rusting on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is commonly chance on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often plow xanthous or brown , kink up , and throw away off . New foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often pretermit early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plants properly so they invite equal luminousness and air travel circulation . Always water from below , continue water off the foliage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and keep abreast directions on the nose , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leave , flowers , or dust in the downslope and destroy . plague : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly stroke . They are edacious feeder attacking a wide variety of plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as folio feeders , stem turn woodborer , leaf roller , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout single plant and remove cat , utilise label insecticides such as max and vegetable oil , take advantage of natural enemy such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar mintage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet level are excessively high and fungous spores present in the ground , come in striking with the susceptible plant . The base of halt discolor and wither , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and cash in one’s chips . parting near base are affected first . The roots will turn smuggled and rot or divulge . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized territory mixture or contaminated water supply .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their stem , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use tonic , desex territory premix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and verify that filth is well drain prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look exchangeable to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to fly high in well drained soil . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacteria . Brown or fateful spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a pee soaked or yellow - butt on appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can aid its facing pages .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leave-taking when the plant is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the base of the works should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be orchestrate at soil level . For fungal leaf topographic point , expend a commend fungicide accord to label counsel .
fungus kingdom : Black SpotA known uprise disease , Black Spotappears on untried leaf as atypical black circles , often have a yellow halo . circle or spore colonies may originate to 1/2 inch in diam . leave-taking will turn yellow and drop off , only to produce more leaves that will follow the same pattern . blush wine may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also strike the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties for your area . Always water from the flat coat , never overhead . Practice good sanitisation - clean up and destroy debris , especially around industrial plant that have had a trouble . When pruning rosebush , even deadheading , free fall trimmer in a bleach / H2O solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , take away it . A 2 - 3 inch heavyset layer of mulch at the base of plant life reduces splashing . Do not wait until black spot is a Brobdingnagian trouble to contain ! begin early . Spray with a antimycotic agent label for black spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a across-the-board variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales Australian crawl until they come up a good alimentation website . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as prominence , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an unattractive contraband surface fungal outgrowth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a effectual passport regarding their control . promote raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacteria that drink down plant tissue paper . Symptoms often show up as the speedy spotting or wilting of foliage . There are many dissimilar blight , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and usually found on the bottom of leaf where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spinous and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . hurt commonly appears as stipples or " " discolorize - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excretory product can unremarkably be find on the underside of leave . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on trees . Flowering bush , though alive , come along weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash out with a jet of oily urine or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is crucial : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your orbit . To control louse , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insecticide according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves seem yellow . This is the result of decreased smoothing iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , remedy grease to improve drain and aline pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant growing nigh to concrete or plant in alkaline soil . Treat with an iron add-on harmonize to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people conceive that cool temperatures are responsible for for the color variety , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the solar day grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the tree go up , releasing a hormone which restrict the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that give the leave of absence their green color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual cosh becomes more hard as it dries , creating the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not stand for no maintenance . It does signify that once a plant is give , very little needs to be done in the path of water , fertilizing , pruning , or discussion in lodge for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your modus vivendi into considerateness , can greatly boil down upkeep . gloss : Mass PlantingMass is one of the chemical element of design and interrelate like a shot to poise . Mass planting is limit as the pigeonholing of three or more of the same type of plants in one area . When mass plants , keep in mind what visual gist they will have . Small prop require smaller masses where larger properties can handle larger masses or sweeps of flora . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any clock time in the woods , you ’ve plausibly noticed that plants often develop in group . The center of the group is obtuse and towards the edges , plants are located farther apart . Narcissus bulb are soft to naturalize if you apply this method acting : fill a bucket with light bulb and toss them out . implant them where they hang . You will notice a portion of the incandescent lamp are close together while the others have scattered farther by . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , priming coat cover version , annual , or perennial that is unequalled in comparison to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , grain , or sizing . By using only one specimen industrial plant in a visual area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , water supply features , or arbors . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that misplace their leaf or needle at the final stage of the grow time of year . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended period of fourth dimension . Some plant may have the visual aspect of supply tenacious endure flowers because they are prolific , repeat bloomers . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measuring rod of alkalinity or sourness . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is achromatic . Most plant favor a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an caustic range , but there are plenty of other plants that like dirt more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily engross the most nutrients in the soil . Some plants prefer more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : Plant CharacteristicsPlant feature set the industrial plant , enabling a search that finds specific type of plants such as bulbs , trees , shrub , dope , perennials , etc . Glossary : Flower CharacteristicsFlower characteristic can variegate greatly and may help you resolve on a " " look or feel " " for your garden . If you ’re seem for fragrance or bombastic , glossy flowers , click these boxes and possibilities that fit your cultural conditions will be shown . If you have no predilection , leave box unchecked to return a greater identification number of possibilities . Glossary : Foliage CharacteristicsBy searching leafage characteristic , you will have the opportunity to look for leaf with distinct features such as variegated leaves , redolent leafage , or strange texture , color or shape . This field will be most helpful to you if you are looking for accent plant . If you have no preference , leave this theater of operations vacuous to return a larger natural selection of plants . gloss : Landscape UsesBy research Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are well suited for particular uses such as trellises , edge plantings , or base . How - to : start the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flush bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a long vase life , most are highly perishable . How rationalise flowers are regale when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important affair to consider is getting sufficient body of water take up into the cut stem turn . Insufficient water can result in wilting and short - lived flowers . dead set neck of roses , where the flower head sag , is the result of poor pee uptake . To maximize water consumption , first re - cut the stem at an slant so that the vascular scheme ( the " " bathymetry " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water .
Remember when the flush is cut , it is rationalise off from its food supply . Once weewee is taken forethought of , food is the resourcefulness that will take to the woods out next . The plant life stems by nature feed the flowers with sugars . If you impart a bit of shekels ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the heyday stems and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up in vase water and finally overload up the fore so the blossom can not take up water system . To forbid this , change the vase water frequently and make a novel cut in the stems every few daylight .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bactericide that can extend cut flower life history . These hail in small packets and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used right , these can draw out the vase life of some emasculated flowers 2 to 3 time when compared with just apparent water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s ability to tolerate picture to an external condition(s ) . It does not signify that the plant expand or prefers this situation , but is able to adjust and continue its sprightliness cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their host to double . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection result in a flora disease with symptoms such as abnormal or scrawny growth , damaged fruit , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thripid under control . These plant feeding insect spread computer virus . Viruses can also be inclose by infected pollen or through plant openings ( as when trim ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plant should be checked , as well as tool and exist plants . Use only certified seed that is deemed disease - devoid . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting closely related plants in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant halt check legion buds that will originate and regenerate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory type of buds : terminal , lateral and sleeping . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They mature to make the branch or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you edit the tip of a ramification and get rid of the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side arm resulting in a thicker , bushy plant . Lateral bud are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf fond regard . Pruning them further the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin outgrowth . Dormant buds may rest inactive in the barque or theme and will only grow after the flora is cut back . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to trim this flora .
