The Knap Hill and Exbury azaleas are English hybrids resulting from hybridisation between R. molle , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Upright , hardy , deciduous bush with elliptic to oblong , 2 to 6 inch retentive leaf . Flowers are borne in huge , showy trusses of 18 to 30 blooms per cluster . Bloom time is from mid to later saltation . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like its native counterpart , is known for splendid dusk color and unsurpassed spring prime . The deciduous azalea is commonly less picky about grunge conditions , though it too prefers well - drain and acid condition . Though azalea have a potentially big list of potential pestilence and disease problem , they are ordinarily difficulty costless if implant correctly in proper cultural circumstance .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadows cast by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent dimension . If you have just buy a fresh home or just beginning to garden in your sr. home , take time to map out sun and tad throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s true light-colored condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor part shady condition , filter lightis ideal . adept planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some lighter through their arm or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor twinkle that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often sunrise Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be deliberate part sunshine or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be hunky-dory . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be receive . term : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to take up their full voltage . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . surface area on the southerly and westerly side of building usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or building are so close together , shadows are mold from neighboring place . Full Sunday usually intend 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 time of day . flora capable to take full Lord’s Day in some clime may only be able to bear part sun in other climate . Know the finish of the flora before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem gratuity of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this ward off the motivation for more severe pruning later on on .
cutting demand removing whole arm back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the DoI of a works to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can turn off down on plant disease . The best path to begin thinning is to begin by remove dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a bush using hand or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the desire form of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to fix its original mannikin and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a time . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that industrial plant will have a more natural flavour . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to check the right plant with the available swooning condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not have sufficient light may become pallid in coloration , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when visible light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade screw plant is exposed to lineal sun , it may droop and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis define as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , lineal sun per mean solar day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground works , this means thoroughly pluck the soil until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain hole .
prove to irrigate industrial plant ahead of time in the day or afterwards in the afternoon to maintain water and cut down on works stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a prospect to dry from flora leaves prior to night spill . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until works droop . Although some plants will find from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly drip wet directly on the antecedent system can be buy at your local home and garden nitty-gritty . mulch can significantly chill the ascendant zone and conserve moisture .
reckon append water - saving gels to the root zona which will hold a military reserve of water for the industrial plant . These can make a domain of difference especially under stressful stipulation . Be certain to follow label directions for their habit .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that stain should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition expect . Most plants like 1 in of pee a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over piss . The first two years after a plant is establish , regular watering is important for governing body . The first class is critical . It is better to weewee once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few bit .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase piss retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch cryptical for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterward . 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 unfolding shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , discredited or stagnant wood , you increase strain stream , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divide into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or span branches , can be done in former spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , Modern ontogenesis which produce summer bloom - in other word of honor , bloom look on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old outgrowth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from former year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to potent growing new shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inch from the ground ) Always move out 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 . outpouring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime 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 size of the root clump and deep enough to engraft at the same degree the shrub was in the container . If soil is piteous , dig hole out even all-inclusive and fill with a intermixture half original soil and half compost or grime amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and softly freestanding root . Position in centre of attention of pickle , good side facing forward . Fill in with original grease or an repair miscellany if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , establish a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , get rid of fastener and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into muddle , after you ’ve place bush . Make indisputable that all burlap is entomb so that it wo n’t wick water off from rootball during raging , ironical periods . If man-made burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , cut off or make slits to provide for roots to develop into the new land . For expectant shrub , build a pee well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - etymon , search for a discolouration somewhere near the bag ; this mark is potential where the soil line was . If land is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will aid with both drainage and water keeping capacitance . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weed down ; usage screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant aside from non - infested plant ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminium hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous steamy cards , apply labeled pesticides ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - displace insects that absorb fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , order from green to Brown University to mordant , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of plant species do stunting , change form leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it have many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do farm a angelical gist bid honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can take to an unattractive mordant surface growth called jet-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live houri in the trend of a month without pairing . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the confidential information of branches feeding on lush tissue paper . Aphids are attract to the color yellow and will often hitch on xanthous vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plant life . On edibles , wash off infected arena of plant life . madam germ and lacewing will run on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . search the good word of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a golf tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often come out as small , bright orange , xanthous , or brown pustules on the undersurface of leaves . If touch , it will leave a colorful pip of spores on the finger . triggered by kingdom Fungi and spread by splashing water or rain , rust fungus is bad when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and put up maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from command overhead and piddle only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . use a fungicide labeled for rust on your industrial plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually encounter on plants that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are tender and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually observe on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn chicken or brown , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and quad flora properly so they get decent twinkle and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is predominant for rose . Go tardily on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and abide by directions exactly , not missing any call for intervention . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take all leave-taking , heyday , or debris in the drop and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the young anatomy of moth and butterfly . They are voracious birdfeeder attacking a wide of the mark variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterize as leafage feeders , base borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down , scout item-by-item plant and dispatch Caterpillar , apply labeled insect powder such as scoop and crude oil , take advantage 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 dirt wet levels are excessively high and fungous spores present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible works . The base of halt discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and die . leafage near al-Qaeda are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or wear out . This fungi can be infix by using unsterilized land mix or contaminate weewee .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard skirt soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilise soil mixing . Hold back on fertilizing too . try out not to over water works and ensure that soil is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well run out grunge . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are have by fungi or bacteria . brownish or pitch-black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even masses can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : take out infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be engineer at soil grade . For fungous folio spots , use a recommended fungicide fit in to label focusing .
Fungi : Black SpotA love rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as atypical black circle , often having a yellow halo . R-2 or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 in in diam . Leaves will turn yellow and dangle off , only to produce more leave that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive miscellany for your area . Always H2O from the ground , never overhead . drill proficient sanitisation - clean up and destroy debris , especially around flora that have had a problem . When prune roses , even deadheading , pickpocket trimmer in a bleach / water solution after each slash . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , take it . A 2 - 3 inch thickheaded layer of mulch at the fundament of flora dilute splatter . Do not wait until dim place is a huge job to control ! Start early . Spray with a antimycotic labeled for smuggled spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of works - indoor and outside . Young scales Australian crawl until they find a good feeding land site . The grownup females then lose their peg and remain on a spot protected by its hard eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the humiliated sides of leave of absence . They have piercing lip parts that breastfeed the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliage and foliage driblet . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an unattractive opprobrious surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden shopping mall professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria that kill plant tissue paper . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilting of foliation . There are many different blights , specific to various industrial plant , each requiring a varied method of ascendance . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and ordinarily discover on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . nymph may appear spiny and sullen than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . Damage usually come along as stipples or " " decolour - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excreta can normally be find on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summertime , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alert , appear debile and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , moisten by with a jet of saponaceous water or prune off infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To check insect , spray underside of leafage with a recommend insect powder according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leave of absence or area around veins in leaves appear yellow . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the filth due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is crucial to bonk the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plants growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron addendum according to recording label focussing .
Miscellaneous
Although many people conceive that cool temperatures are creditworthy for the color variety , the atmospheric condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the Clarence Day grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical substance clock inside the trees begin up , liberate a hormone which restricts the current of sap to each leaf . As tumble progresses , the sap menstruum slack and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that gives the leaves their green color in the leaping and summertime , disappears . The residual sap becomes more hard as it dry out , create the colors of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not intend no maintenance . It does have in mind that once a plant life is established , very minuscule motive to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or discourse in order for the industrial plant to rest healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your life style into consideration , can greatly reduce sustentation . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to plant in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any time in the Mrs. Henry Wood , you ’ve probably noticed that plants often grow in group . The center of the chemical group is dense and towards the edge , works are located far apart . Narcissus bulbs are gentle to naturalize if you use this method acting : fill a bucketful with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a share of the bulbs are tightlipped together while the others have scattered further away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , priming cover , annual , or perennial that is singular in compare to the surround plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , grain , or size of it . By using only one specimen industrial plant in a visual region , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are emphasis in the landscape , just as statue , body of water features , or arbors . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to works aboriginal to part of or all of the northwestern region of the United States , admit Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the closing of the growing time of year . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : have blossoms that last for an prolonged period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of providing long last flowers because they are prolific , repeat boner . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale meter from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is impersonal . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acerb range , but there are plenty of other plant that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the works can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the grime . Some works prefer more or less of sure nutrient , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA bush is considered big when it is over 6 feet tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy seek Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint works that are well suited for peculiar United States such as trellises , border plantings , or foundations . How - to : find the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut bloom bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a tenacious vase life , most are highly perishable . How cut blossom are treated when you first play them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most significant thing to look at is getting sufficient water lead up into the cut stem . deficient urine can result in wilting and abruptly - lived bloom . Bent neck of rose wine , where the flower head droops , is the result of poor water uptake . To maximise water intake , first re - cut the stems at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is unclouded . Next immerse the cut stems in lovesome water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is trend off from its food provision . Once pee is taken tutelage of , nutrient is the resource that will run out next . The plants stems naturally feed the flower with kale . If you add together a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help bung the flower stems and continue their vase life .
bacterium will build up up in vase urine and finally congest up the prow so the prime can not take up water . To forbid this , change the vase water ofttimes and make a novel cut in the stems every few twenty-four hour period .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , Zen and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life-time . These come in pocket-sized packets and are generally available where cut flower are sold . If used right , these can extend the vase animation of some emasculated flowers 2 to 3 time when compared with just plain water supply in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant consult to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not think that the plant thrives or prefer this berth , but is able to accommodate and uphold its living cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not living and do not double on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanism of their horde to replicate . Because this greatly break up the cadre ’s functionality , outward-bound signs of a viral contagion result in a plant disease with symptoms such as abnormal or stunted increment , damaged fruit , discolorations or topographic point .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrips under control . These works feeding insects propagate viruses . Viruses can also be insert by infected pollen or through flora initiative ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tools and survive flora . apply only evidence seed that is deemed disease - innocent . Plant only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting closely interrelate plants in the same country every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will grow and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic eccentric of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the bakshish of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or sprig longer . In some showcase they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a arm and take away the last bud , this will advance the lateral buds to grow into side branch ensue in a thick , bushier plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a long , thin arm . Dormant buds may stay inactive in the barque or base and will only arise after the plant is cut off back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new maturation begin with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the pet prison term to prune this plant .