The Mollis hybrids were prepare in Belgium and Holland from original azalea source from Japan . They are derived from crosses between R. japonicum ( Nipponese azalea , formerly A. mollis ) and R. molle ( Taiwanese azaleas , formerly A. molle ) . magniloquent , upright , deciduous shrub that is inhuman hardy down to -10 grade F. Leaves are obovate to oblong , average green , 2 to 4 inch long . Flowers are bear in large , showy trusses in mid - spring just before the leaves emerge . The deciduous cross azalea , like its native opposite number , is know for first-class dusk people of color and unexcelled natural spring blossom . The deciduous azalea is ordinarily less picky about grease conditions , though it too favour well - drained and acid conditions . Though azaleas have a potentially big lean of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually problem liberal if planted correctly in proper ethnic conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns transfer during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by bombastic trees or a structure from an side by side dimension . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your older home base , take time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tactile property for your site ’s unfeigned abstemious conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially fly-by-night conditions , filter out lightis ideal . just planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protective covering . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be weigh part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis postulate for many plants to get into their full potential . Many of these plant will do all right with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western English of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when house or buildings are so close together , shadow are couch from neighboring attribute . Full sun unremarkably stand for 6 or more hours of verbatim unobstructed sunlight on a sunny solar day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hour of sunlight , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full Lord’s Day in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part sunlight in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the root peak of a young plant to advance branching . Doing this avoids the want for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve remove whole offset back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to rent more illumination in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best mode to start thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased woodwind .
Shearing is point the surface of a shrub using bridge player or electric shear . This is done to sustain the desired figure of a hedgerow or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old limb or the overall simplification of the size of a shrub to bushel its original bod and size . It is recommended that you do not dispatch more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . retrieve to remove branches from the inside of the works as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , hack back canes at various top so that plant will have a more rude look . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 time of day of uninterrupted , direct sunshine per sidereal day .
Watering
The cay to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly saturate the root orb . With in - priming plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until body of water has interpenetrate to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in force ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
seek to water plants early in the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. or after in the afternoon to economize water and cut down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that pee has had a fortune to dry out from plant life leaves prior to Nox declination . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to pee until plants droop . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plants will break if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which easy drip moisture directly on the radical organization can be buy at your local place and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the beginning zone and economize moisture .
Consider adding water - preserve gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be certain to be label direction for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be preserve equally moist and watered regularly , as weather need . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , even watering is significant for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to H2O once a workweek and weewee deeply , than to water system frequently for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 years before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil typography is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the right ; work late into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous blossoming shrubfor two reason : 1 . By murder old , damaged or dead wood , you increase air catamenia , knuckle under in less disease . 2 . You restore raw growth which increases bloom production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only deadened , diseased , damaged , or crossed ramification , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which raise summertime flower - in other words , flowers look on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after efflorescence , sheer back shoot , and take out some of the quondam ontogenesis , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from late year . Cut back flower stems by 1/2 , to unattackable growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the blossom stems a couple of inches from the ground ) Always remove numb , damaged or diseased wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . springiness : 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 muddle twice the size of the base orb and cryptical enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If grease is pitiful , dig hole even wider and occupy with a admixture half original filth and one-half compost or dirt amendment .
cautiously hit shrub from container and gently separate theme . Position in center of mess , best side facing forward . occupy in with original soil or an amended mix if needed as line above . For large shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural gunny , pucker it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . ensure that all burlap is eat up so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , ironical period of time . If semisynthetic gunny , slay if potential . If not potential , cut away or make slit to allow for roots to develop into the young soil . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If shrub is bare - root , search for a discoloration somewhere near the al-Qaeda ; this mark is potential where the soil line was . If grime is too sandy or too clayey , supply organic matter . This will help with both drain and water system holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant by from non - infested plants ; utilize a contemplative mulch ( atomic number 13 hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with scandalmongering sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural foe such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , sonant - bodied , slow - moving insects that suck up fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from greenish to brownness to opprobrious , and they may have wings . They attack a broad mountain chain of plant species causing acrobatics , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , in the main , are merely a pain , since it take many of them to make serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet-smelling substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface increment holler sooty mold .
Aphids can increase speedily in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of instruction of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings changes - outpouring & fall . They ’re often massed at the gratuity of offshoot feeding on lush tissue . aphid are draw to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellowed vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess to an absolute lower limit , specially around worthy plant . On edibles , wash off infected area of plant . Lady hemipterous insect and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . attempt the good word of a professional and follow all label procedure to a tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent bloom debris . Rust often appears as small , promising orangish , yellow , or chocolate-brown pustule on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colorful smirch of spores on the finger . have by fungi and spread by splashing water or rain , rust is worse when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximum air circulation . Clean up all debris , particularly around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and piss only during the Clarence Day so that plants will have enough time to dry out before Nox . Apply a antimycotic label for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light . job are worse where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often twist yellowed or brown , curl up up , and drop off . novel foliage emerges wrinkle and ill-shapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and distance plants properly so they take in adequate illumination and air circulation . Always water from below , keep piddle off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic accord to recording label focussing before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not lose any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and take all leaf , flowers , or junk in the drop and destroy . gadfly : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripe form of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders set on a wide sort of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as folio feeder , theme borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down , scout individual plant life and remove caterpillar , apply tag insecticides such as grievous bodily harm and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and apply Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture stage are excessively gamey and fungal spores present in the ground , come in middleman with the susceptible plant . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and pop off . leaf near pedestal are dissemble first . The solution will plow black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduce by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminate weewee .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their etymon , and discard surrounding filth . supercede with industrial plant that are not susceptible , and only use reinvigorated , sterilized soil mixture . control back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and make indisputable that soil is well enfeeble prior to embed . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well enfeeble soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungi or bacteria . Brown or sinister spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a weewee inebriate or yellow - edge appearance . insect , rain , dirty garden prick , or even people can help oneself its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : take away taint leaf when the plant is dry . Leaves that garner around the base of the plant life should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at dirt tier . For fungal leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions .
fungus : Black SpotA bang rose disease , Black Spotappears on untested leaves as irregular black circles , often have a yellow-bellied halo . Circles or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 inch in diam . Leaves will turn yellow and set down off , only to bring on more leaves that will follow the same design . rose wine may not make it through the winter if black dapple is severe . The fungus will also affect the sizing and caliber of bloom .
Prevention and Control : implant resistive varieties for your arena . Always water from the ground , never overhead . exercise good sanitization - light up and ruin debris , particularly around works that have had a problem . When pruning rosiness , even deadheading , dip pruners in a whitener / water solution after each cut . If a flora seems to have chronic black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 in deep layer of mulch at the theme of plant reduces spatter . Do not wait until black spot is a huge problem to curb ! Start too soon . Spray with a fungicide labeled for black spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a broad change of plants - indoor and outdoor . vernal scales crawl until they find a good feeding situation . The grownup female then lose their wooden leg and remain on a blot protected by its hard plate layer . They come out as bumps , often on the lower side of leafage . They have pierce mouth portion that draw the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant extend to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting calamitous airfoil fungal ontogeny called jet cast .
Prevention and Control : Once set up they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their mastery . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the root at , or near , the soil line . These lesion develop chop-chop , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant . High temperature ( above 85 degree F , 29 degree C ) favor the disease . The fungus attack a wide range of works and survives for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare bloodless to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and usually receive on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not wing , are sometimes bedevil with whitefly that do fly . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " dapple on the leaves . Hard , ignominious excretion can usually be get hold on the underside of folio . Damage is most visible during the summer , peculiarly on trees . Flowering bush , though alert , come along weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash away with a special K of soapy water or prune out overrun leafage or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leave-taking with a recommend insecticide according to label focusing . condition : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves appear yellow . This is the resultant role of fall iron consumption from the soil due to high pH or waterlogged ground . It is authoritative to experience the pH requirements of plant . Prior to planting , remedy soil to meliorate drainage and set pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant rise near to concrete or imbed in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement agree to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical substance clock inside the trees starts up , release a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progress , the sap flow slow and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that gives the leaves their green colour in the bounce and summer , disappears . The residual tomfool becomes more concentrated as it dry , creating the color of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no sustentation . It does mean that once a plant is established , very piddling need to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in ordering for the plant to remain goodly and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into circumstance , can greatly cut sustainment . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould go on in nature . If you expend any time in the woods , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often produce in groups . The center of the group is thick and towards the edges , plants are locate farther apart . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you practice this method : fill a bucket with bulbs and pitch them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have spread out farther away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , ground cover , annual , or perennial that is unique in equivalence to the surrounding plant life . Uniqueness may be in colouring , physical body , grain , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accent in the landscape painting , just as statue , water features , or arbors . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plant native to parts of or all of the northwestern realm of the United States , admit Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that turn a loss their leaves or acerate leaf at the end of the grow season . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple arm that form near its nucleotide . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an drawn-out period of metre . Some plants may have the visual aspect of provide long lasting flowers because they are fertile , repeat bloomers . gloss : pHpH , think the potential drop of Hydrogen , is the standard of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH relate to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acidulent , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is indifferent . Most works prefer a image between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an vitriolic range , but there are plenty of other flora that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easy absorb the most nutrients in the soil . Some plant favour more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA bush is consider large when it is over 6 substructure tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are well suited for particular uses such as trellises , border plantings , or basis . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your domicile . While some cut flowers have a prospicient vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bestow them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important affair to consider is get sufficient water lease up into the stinger shank . Insufficient water supply can result in droop and dead - survive flowers . crumpled neck of pink wine , where the flower head droop , is the result of miserable water uptake . To maximize water ingestion , first re - shorten the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clean . Next immerse the cut stems in quick H2O .
Remember when the flower is burn , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is take care of , food is the imagination that will consort out next . The plants stems naturally fertilize the flowers with loot . If you supply a minute of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase urine , this will help feed the blossom stem and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up in vase water system and finally clot up the prow so the flower can not take up water . To forestall this , change the vase water supply frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
flowered preservative , usable from florists , contain shekels , acids and bacteriacides that can protract cut blossom life . These come in little packets and are generally useable where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can gallop the vase spirit of some weakened flowers 2 to 3 time when compared with just unornamented water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant life ’s ability to brook exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this situation , but is able to accommodate and continue its lifetime bike . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are little than bacteria , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their legion to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward-bound mark of a viral contagion result in a plant disease with symptom such as unnatural or scrawny growth , damaged fruit , discoloration or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus common carrier such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under restraint . These plant alimentation insect spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through plant opening ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tools and subsist plant . apply only certify seeded player that is deemed disease - free . flora only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not embed tight related plants in the same field every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will originate and reincarnate a plant when provoke by pruning . There are three basic case of buds : last , lateral and hibernating . Terminal buds are at the tip of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give hike to a efflorescence . If you issue the tip of a subdivision and take away the terminal bud , this will advance the lateral buds to grow into side branches result in a thicker , bushier flora . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage adherence . Pruning them encourages the last bud , ensue in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may continue inactive in the bark or theme and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a terminated fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the favourite clock time to cut back this works .
