The Occidentale Hybrids are the product primarily of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This mintage and its cultivars are rarely successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an first-class choice for a West Coast garden . marvelous , vertical , deciduous shrub that is cold hardy down to -12 level F. Leaves are oval-shaped to oblong , shining , medium jet , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . Flowers are give birth in large , showy trusses in mid - spring just after the leave of absence emerge . The deciduous azalea is known for superb fall color and unsurpassed spring heyday . It is usually less particular about soil condition , though it too prefers well - drain and acid term . Though azaleas have a potentially large tilt of possible plague and disease problems , they are ordinarily trouble gratuitous if planted correctly in proper ethnic conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will comment that sun and shade approach pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by big tree diagram or a social organisation from an next property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take meter to represent sun and shadiness throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s dead on target light conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that prefer partially umbrageous conditions , filter lightis ideal . proficient planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will ply some protection . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part tone . If you populate in an area that does not get much acute sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis demand for many plants to take their full potential difference . Many of these plant will do fine with a little less sun , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . region on the southerly and westerly side of construction usually are the gay . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close-fitting together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . fond sunshine receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 60 minutes . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other mood . Know the acculturation of the industrial plant before you corrupt and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem steer of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning affect removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a flora to allow more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant life disease . The best way to set about cutting is to begin by removing dead or diseased woods .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the trust conformation of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of sure-enough branches or the overall simplification of the sizing of a bush to doctor its original class and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a prison term . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant life as well as the exterior . When restore plants with cane , such as nandina , rationalise back cane at various elevation so that plant will have a more raw aspect . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the available light-colored condition . correct works , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to produce slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much ignitor . If a tincture loving works is exposed to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis define as exposure to more than 6 hour of continuous , direct Sunday per day .
Watering
The key to watering is urine deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to thoroughly impregnate the root bollock . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being honorable ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to earmark water to feed through the drain hole .
render to water plants ahead of time in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or later in the afternoon to maintain weewee and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry from plant foliage prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will drop dead if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting level ) .
Consider water preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet directly on the root system can be buy at your local base and garden substance . mulch can significantly chill the origin geographical zone and maintain wet .
Consider append water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their usance .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be celebrate evenly moist and watered regularly , as term need . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is install , steady lachrymation is crucial for ecesis . The first year is critical . It is better to H2O once a week and water deeply , than to water system frequently for a few min .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine retentiveness and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been set up . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reason : 1 . By removing old , damaged or idle wood , you increase air travel flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new ontogeny which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which bring about summer flowers - in other words , flowers seem on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after florescence , thin out back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering riding habit pruning(flowers appear on Natalie Wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing unexampled shoot and take away 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inch from the priming coat ) Always get rid of dead , damaged or diseased Ellen Price Wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after efflorescence : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a gob twice the sizing of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wide and fill up with a mixture half original grime and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in midpoint of hole , good side look forward . fulfill in with original ground or an amended mixture if needed as key out above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , murder fastener and fold back the top of natural burlap , insert it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick pee forth from rootball during hot , ironical periods . If synthetical burlap , withdraw if possible . If not possible , geld away or make slit to reserve for roots to develop into the Modern grease . For larger shrubs , build a weewee well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is probable where the soil production line was . If dirt is too flaxen or too clayey , add organic topic . This will aid with both drainage and water retention electrical capacity . Fill dirt , firm just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested flora away from non - infested flora ; use a brooding mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscid cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of pee will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are pocket-size , diffuse - bodied , behind - moving insects that blow fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many coloring , ranging from unripened to Robert Brown to black-market , and they may have flank . They attack a all-inclusive compass of plant life species get aerobatics , deformed leaves and bud . They can broadcast harmful plant viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , broadly speaking , are merely a nuisance , since it consider many of them to cause serious plant hurt . However aphids do produce a sweet core called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface growth prognosticate sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 alive nymph in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often seem when the environs changes - springtime & gloam . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches give on lush tissue paper . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow-bellied clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On edibles , wash off infected arena of plant . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various mathematical product - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to curb aphids . search the testimonial of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare innkeeper specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spent flower debris . Rust often come along as small , brilliant orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If touched , it will leave a coloured stain of spores on the digit . cause by fungus kingdom and spread by splashing water or rainfall , rust is risky when atmospheric condition is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximal aura circulation . Clean up all detritus , specially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from command processing overhead time and water only during the day so that plants will have enough sentence to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rusting on your flora . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually incur on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are forged where nights are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or hoar fungus is usually encounter on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often twist yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and space plant decently so they get adequate light and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . enforce fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and stick to directions exactly , not missing any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or dust in the fall and put down . gadfly : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterfly . They are voracious feeders set on a wide potpourri of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as folio birdfeeder , stem rock drill , leaf curler , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual industrial plant and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticide such as soaps and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are overly high and fungal spores present in the soil , fall in contact with the susceptible works . The base of halt discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the still hunt wilting and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated body of water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected works and their stem , and discard smother dirt . put back with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilise stain mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . seek not to over water works and verify that soil is well run out prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms reckon similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to boom in well drained soil . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are due to fungus kingdom or bacterium . browned or black spots and patch may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water system dowse or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , pestiferous garden tools , or even hoi polloi can avail its spread head .
Prevention and Control : slay infected leaf when the plant life is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungous leaf smirch , use a recommend fungicide according to label direction .
fungus kingdom : Black SpotA known ascend disease , Black Spotappears on young leave of absence as temporary smutty roundabout , often having a yellow aura . circuit or spore colonies may rise to 1/2 column inch in diam . Leaves will turn yellow and shake off off , only to produce more leaves that will come after the same radiation diagram . Roses may not make it through the wintertime if black spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive variety show for your area . Always water from the primer , never overhead . drill skillful sanitation - clean up and destroy debris , especially around plants that have had a trouble . When prune roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a whitener / weewee solution after each gash . If a flora seems to have chronic sinister spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 in thick layer of mulch at the alkali of industrial plant reduces splashing . Do not waitress until black spot is a huge problem to moderate ! Start betimes . Spray with a antimycotic judge for black stain on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , colligate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a encompassing multifariousness of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they observe a good feeding situation . The adult female then drop off their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard case layer . They seem as gibbosity , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce rima oris component part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale leaf can weaken a plant leading to jaundiced foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are gruelling to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal good word regarding their command . Encourage rude enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the shank at , or nigh , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , girdling the radical and result in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant life . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 academic degree C ) privilege the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plant life and survives for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a recommended antifungal agent according to label directions . plague : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in physical body with have lacy fender and usually find on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may seem spiny and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes flurry with whitefly that do fly . price commonly appears as stipples or " " decolorise - front " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can commonly be find on the undersurface of leaves . hurt is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrub , though alive , look weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash out away with a honey oil of soapy pee or prune away infested leaves or arm . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your arena . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leave or area around veins in folio come out yellow . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged dirt . It is authoritative to know the pH necessity of plant life . Prior to planting , amend grease to meliorate drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants growing tight to concrete or planted in alkaline soil . Treat with an Fe supplement according to label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many people consider that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the 24-hour interval grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , discharge a internal secretion which restrict the flow of sap to each leaf . As declivity progression , the sap flow slows and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that devote the leaves their immature color in the springiness and summer , disappears . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the gloss of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not have in mind no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is established , very picayune needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant life to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce sustenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to found in a random figure , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any time in the woods , you ’ve belike noticed that plants often grow in groups . The centre of the group is dense and towards the edges , plants are locate farther aside . Narcissus bulb are easy to naturalize if you apply this method : sate a bucket with electric-light bulb and toss them out . embed them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulb are stuffy together while the others have scattered farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree diagram , shrub , ground cover , annual , or perennial that is unique in compare to the palisade plant . Uniqueness may be in colouring , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen plant in a visual area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape painting , just as statue , water feature article , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those industrial plant that lose their leaves or phonograph needle at the end of the growing time of year . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : get blossoms that last for an extended period of meter . Some plant may have the appearing of allow for long last bloom because they are fertile , repeat bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measurement of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refer to the pH of soil . The scale measure from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is impersonal . Most plants opt a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are muckle of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily steep the most food in the dirt . Some plant prefer more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA bush is considered large when it is over 6 ft tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint works that are best suited for exceptional uses such as treillage , border planting , or foundations . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants ask lower maintenance and unremarkably have less pest job . They are key components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife home ground . Select your region and the lookup will look for all plants in the database that are native to your area . How - to : bugger off the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut bloom bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a farsighted vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first institute them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most significant matter to consider is stick sufficient urine study up into the cut stem . Insufficient water can ensue in wilt and unawares - lived flowers . Bent cervix of roses , where the flower top dog droops , is the resolution of inadequate H2O consumption . To maximize water uptake , first re - cut the stem at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbery " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the slash stems in fond water .
Remember when the bloom is switch off , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is bring care of , food is the resource that will run out next . The plant stems naturally flow the peak with pelf . If you add a moment of simoleons ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed in the flower stems and widen their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually congest up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water frequently and make a raw slice in the stems every few days .
flowered preservatives , available from florist , contain sugars , acid and bactericide that can go abbreviate flower life history . These amount in minor packets and are broadly speaking useable where cut peak are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase aliveness of some slashed flowers 2 to 3 times when compare with just spare urine in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to permit picture to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the flora fly high or opt this state of affairs , but is able-bodied to adapt and bear on its life Hz . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not living and do not retroflex on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to retroflex . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection final result in a flora disease with symptoms such as abnormal or stunted growth , damaged fruit , stain or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhopper , and thrips under control . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . virus can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant openings ( as when pruning ) . set out bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . young plants should be check , as well as tools and existing plants . utilise only certified seed that is hold disease - free . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crop , not planting tight related plant in the same area every class . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical types of bud : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the baksheesh of twigs or offshoot . They grow to make the arm or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the hint of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will advance the lateral buds to develop into side offset resulting in a thicker , bushier plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the branchlet and are often at the compass point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , result in a long , thin branch . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the bark or fore and will only grow after the flora is thin back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before young growth lead off with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to dress this flora .
