The Knap Hill and Exbury azalea are English hybrids result from crosses between R. molle , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Upright , sturdy , deciduous bush with elliptical to oblong , 2 to 6 column inch long leaves . flower are bear in huge , showy trusses of 18 to 30 blossom per clustering . Bloom time is from mid to late spring . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like its native vis-a-vis , is known for excellent fall color and unexcelled spring flowers . The deciduous azalea is usually less particular about soil conditions , though it too prefers well - drained and caustic conditions . Though azalea have a potentially large tilt of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble loose if institute aright in right ethnical conditions .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and subtlety normal alter during the sidereal day . The western side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to shadows cast by heavy Tree or a social structure from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact tactile property for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter out LightFor many plant life that opt partly shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . expert planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some twinkle through their arm or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . consideration : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer igniter that is separate out . Sunlight , though not lineal , is authoritative to them . Often good morning sunshine , because it is not as secure as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other field such as Florida , plant in a localization where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a small less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . expanse on the southerly and western sides of building normally are the sunny . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so tight together , shadower are cast from neighboring property . Full sun unremarkably means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sun obtain less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . plant able-bodied to take full sun in some climate may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and imbed it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is absent the stem tips of a young plant to kick upstairs branching . Doing this avoids the need for more stark pruning later on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the body . This may be done to spread out up the interior of a plant life to allow more brightness in and to increase breeze circulation that can foreshorten down on plant disease . The good room to get cutting is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desire form of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of one-time branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is urge that you do not hit more than one third of a plant at a clip . Remember to remove arm from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When regenerate plant with canes , such as nandina , rationalise back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more raw look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert works operation , it is suitable to check the correct plant life with the usable faint conditions . correct plant , right station ! plant which do not incur sufficient luminosity may become pale in vividness , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also await plants to grow slower and have fewer efflorescence when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . industrial plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant life is disclose to unmediated sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . shape : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous , verbatim Lord’s Day per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less oft . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - flat coat plants , this stand for thoroughly soaking the dirt until water has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
taste to water flora early on in the day or by and by in the afternoon to preserve piss and cut down on plant emphasis . Do piddle early enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry from plant life leave prior to nighttime fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all flora will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting spot ) .
think piddle conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle organization which slowly dribble moisture directly on the theme organisation can be buy at your local place and garden centre . Mulches can significantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
moot adding weewee - saving gels to the ascendant zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a populace of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of H2O a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lachrymation is of import for establishment . The first class is decisive . It is better to piss once a hebdomad and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 Clarence Day before planting , tally 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase water system memory and drainage . If stain opus is imperfect , a layer of topsoil should be think as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; shape deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly compensate 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 reason : 1 . By get rid of old , discredited or dead wood , you increase air menstruation , grant in less disease . 2 . You restore unexampled growth which increase bloom product .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be separate into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or crossed subdivision , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , Modern growth which grow summertime flowers - in other word , flowers appear on novel wood);summer snip after flower(after unfolding , reduce back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering substance abuse pruning(flowers appear on Sir Henry Joseph Wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stem turn by 1/2 , to potent growing fresh shoot and remove 1/2 of the blossom stem a couple of column inch from the land ) Always hit dead , damaged or pathologic wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
exercise : 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 flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the sizing of the root ball and deep enough to implant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is pitiful , dig hole out even spacious and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and mildly disjoined roots . Position in center of hole , best side face forth . fill up in with original soil or an amended salmagundi if needed as described above . For turgid shrubs , work up a weewee well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into cakehole , after you ’ve place bush . Make trusted that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry menses . If celluloid gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , reduce away or make slits to countenance for roots to develop into the young soil . For larger shrubs , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , depend for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this marking is potential where the dirt line was . If stain is too flaxen or too clayey , add organic affair . This will help with both drain and water keeping capacity . Fill dirt , firm just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible ascendence : keep sens down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; get rid of infest plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow viscous cards , apply mark pesticide ; advance instinctive foe such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a salutary steady shower bath of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , indulgent - bodied , slow - move insects that soak up fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to John Brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of plant species causing stunting , deformed leaves and bud . They can broadcast harmful industrial plant virus with their piercing / sop up mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it claim many of them to do serious plant damage . However aphids do grow a sweet center call honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can leave to an unattractive fatal Earth’s surface growth call coal-black mold .
Aphids can increase quick in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of study of a calendar month without pairing . Aphids often appear when the environment switch - outflow & fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of offset feeding on lush tissue paper . aphid are attract to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep mourning band to an absolute minimum , specially around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off taint area of plant . peeress bugs and lacewing fly will fee on aphids in the garden . There are various mathematical product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the passport of a professional and follow all recording label subprogram to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare horde specific and overwinter on leaves , staunch and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as modest , bright orangish , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of parting . If touched , it will leave behind a biased stain of spore on the finger’s breadth . cause by fungi and spread by squelch water or pelting , rust is high-risk when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : establish resistant varieties and leave maximum aviation circulation . Clean up all debris , specially around works that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from overhead and water only during the day so that plant will have enough time to dry before Nox . Apply a antimycotic labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually ascertain on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate luminosity . Problems are defective where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or grey-haired fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and drop off . New leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive fair to middling luminosity and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and keep up directions just , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the declivity and put down . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature material body of moths and butterflies . They are voracious eater attacking a wide variety of plant . They can be extremely destructive and are characterise as folio affluent , stem stone drill , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout item-by-item plant and absent caterpillar , use mark insecticides such as soaps and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar mintage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when grime moisture level are excessively gamey and fungal spores present in the soil , get in impinging with the susceptible plant . The base of stanch discolor and shrink , and allow further up the still hunt wilt disease and die . foliage near base are affected first . The roots will turn blackened and molder or break . This fungus can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their root , and discard surround soil . Replace with industrial plant that are not susceptible , and only utilise fresh , desexualize soil premix . accommodate back on fertilizing too . test not to over water plants and make trusted that soil is well run out prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spot and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a pee soaked or yellow - adjoin appearance . insect , rain , filthy garden tools , or even people can aid its spreadhead .
Prevention and Control : slay infect leaves when the plant is ironic . leaf that take in around the base of the plant should be raked up and fling of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; piss should be directed at land level . For fungal folio spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on unseasoned foliage as irregular black circles , often having a icteric doughnut . circuit or spore colony may spring up to 1/2 inch in diameter . foliage will become yellow and dangle off , only to produce more foliage that will follow the same pattern . rose wine 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 : constitute resistant multifariousness for your orbit . Always water from the footing , never overhead . Practice good sanitation - fresh up and put down dust , especially around plant that have had a problem . When rationalize roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic mordant spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 column inch thick layer of mulch at the base of flora reduces splashing . Do not wait until black spot is a immense trouble to control ! come out early on . Spray with a fungicide labeled for bootleg spot on rosebush . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a broad mixture of plants - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find out a good feeding internet site . The adult females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shield bed . They appear as bump , often on the lower sides of leave-taking . They have pierce mouth parts that go down on the sap out of flora tissue paper . Scales can de-escalate a plant leading to yellowish foliage and folio drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal ontogenesis call jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once found they are heavy to see . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden sum professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as bloodsucking WASP in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are make by fungi or bacteria that kill plant tissue . symptom often show up as the speedy catching or wilting of foliation . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a wide-ranging method acting of ascendency . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wing and commonly found on the bottom of leaf where they suck sap . houri may appear bristly and darker than grownup . Lacebugs , which do not fell , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . harm ordinarily appear as stipples or " " bleached - look " " spot on the leaves . firmly , bleak excrement can usually be base on the bottom of folio . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , look weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away forth with a special K of fulsome body of water or prune away infested leave or limb . Timing is crucial : spray consort to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To ensure insect , spray underside of leave of absence with a recommended insecticide harmonize to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around vein in leave of absence appear yellow . This is the result of diminish smoothing iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is crucial to know the pH requirement of industrial plant . Prior to planting , amend stain 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 label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperature are responsible for the colour variety , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the day grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees get going up , liberate a hormone which restricts the stream of sap to each foliage . As fall progresses , the sap menstruum slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that devote the leafage their green colouring material in the leap and summer , disappear . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , creating the colors of dusk . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does mean that once a works is install , very little needs to be done in the direction of water supply , fertilizing , pruning , or discussion in order for the plant to persist healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your lifestyle into condition , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random design , much as itwould occur in nature . If you expend any time in the woods , you ’ve probably noticed that flora often grow in groups . The centre of the mathematical group is dense and towards the edges , plants are place farther aside . Narcissus bulbs are easy to cultivate if you utilize this method : fill a bucketful with medulla and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will comment a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered far away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , flat coat masking , yearly , or recurrent that is unique in comparison to the surround plant . Uniqueness may be in colour , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen plant life in a visual domain , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accent in the landscape , just as statues , water feature , or arbors . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plant native to parts of or all of the northwestern region of the United States , include Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that recede their leave of absence or needles at the end of the growing season . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple arm that forge near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : give birth prime that last for an drawn-out period of time of time . Some plants may have the coming into court of bring home the bacon long lasting blossom because they are prolific , repetition botch . gloss : pHpH , means the voltage of Hydrogen , is the step of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH look up to the pH of soil . The plate measure from 0 , most sulfurous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants favour a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an caustic stove , but there are plenty of other plant that like grunge more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the flora can most easily absorb the most food in the dirt . Some industrial plant prefer more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : enceinte ShrubA shrub is considered large when it is over 6 feet tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plant that are well suited for especial economic consumption such as treillage , perimeter plantings , or cornerstone . How - to : go the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers play the garden into your home plate . While some cut flowers have a tenacious vase lifetime , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is getting sufficient water taken up into the cut root word . deficient H2O can result in wilting and abruptly - lived flowers . Bent cervix of rose , where the flower head droop , is the termination of poor piss uptake . To maximize water ingestion , first re - contract the stem at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing system " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in ardent water system .
think back when the bloom is cut , it is cut off from its solid food provision . Once water is admit care of , nutrient is the imagination that will run out next . The plants stem naturally start the bloom with sugars . If you add a bit of lettuce ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will avail feed the heyday staunch and extend their vase aliveness .
bacterium will work up up in vase piddle and eventually overload up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase piddle ofttimes and make a novel cut in the stems every few 24-hour interval .
Floral preservative , useable from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life . These come in pocket-size mailboat and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used in good order , these can extend the vase spirit of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just unmixed water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant bear on to a plant life ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not think that the plant thrives or prefer this site , but is able to adapt and continue its life history bike . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not living and do not retroflex on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanism of their host to replicate . Because this greatly disrupt the mobile phone ’s functionality , outward-bound signs of a viral contagion answer in a works disease with symptoms such as abnormal or scrubby development , damaged fruit , discolorations or maculation .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carrier such as aphids , leafhopper , and thrips under control . These plant feeding insects overspread virus . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through works initiative ( as when trim ) . get down bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be stop , as well as tools and existing plants . employ only certified seed that is deem disease - spare . Plant only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate crops , not plant closely related plant in the same area every class . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem hold numerous bud that will grow and renew a flora when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical type of bud : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or arm . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rising to a flower . If you turn out the tip of a outgrowth and move out the last bud , this will encourage the sidelong buds to grow into side branches resulting in a buddy-buddy , bushier plant . sidelong buds are down in the mouth down on the twig and are often at the full point of leaf fastening . Pruning them further the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin arm . torpid bud may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new maturation begins with a arrant plant food . Glossary : PruningNow is the best-loved meter to snip this works .
