The Knap Hill and Exbury azaleas are English hybrids resulting from crosses between R. pepper tree , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Upright , audacious , deciduous shrub with elliptic to oblong , 2 to 6 inch long leaves . Flowers are borne in Brobdingnagian , showy corbel of 18 to 30 flower per clump . blush clip is from mid to late springiness . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like its native counterpart , is be intimate for excellent surrender color and unsurpassed spring flowers . The deciduous azalea is usually less particular about soil conditions , though it too prefers well - drained and acid conditions . Though azaleas have a potentially big list of potential pest and disease problems , they are commonly problem free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will remark that sun and specter practice change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowy due to shadows cast by large tree diagram or a anatomical structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new dwelling or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take time to map sun and tad throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your web site ’s true wakeful conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly louche circumstance , filtered lightis ideal . estimable planting site are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some lighter through their subdivision or beneath taller works that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a positioning where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : 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 intemperately or their leaf as vibrant . country on the southern and westerly sides of building ordinarily are the sunniest . The only exception is when sign of the zodiac or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring attribute . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of unmediated unobstructed sun on a gay day . Partial Lord’s Day receives less than 6 hours of sunlight , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part Sunday in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and embed it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more austere pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on industrial plant disease . The best way of life to begin thinning is to start by get rid of utter or diseased Ellen Price Wood .
Shearing is take down the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired anatomy of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to reconstruct its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to take away branches from the inside of the plant life as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural tone . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is suitable to rival the correct flora with the usable light conditions . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become wan in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have fewer blooms when lightness is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . plant can also receive too much Christ Within . If a shade lie with plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 minute of continuous , direct sunshine per Clarence Day .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. supply enough piddle to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soaking the territory until weewee has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to countenance piddle to run through the drainage hole .
assay to irrigate plants early in the daytime or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water system and burn down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to nighttime dip . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant life will die if they wilt too much ( when they make the permanent wilting point ) .
count water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet forthwith on the root organisation can be buy at your local dwelling and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider add up water supply - keep gel to the base zone which will maintain a reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a humankind of difference especially under stressful consideration . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water supply . The first two years after a flora is set up , regular watering is important for organization . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few second .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water supply retention and drain . If soil composition is rickety , a bed of topsoil should be regard as well . No matter if your stain is grit or clay , it can be meliorate by tot the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the dependable ; work deeply into the soil . Prepare layer to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay 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 unfolding shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing quondam , damaged or dead wood , you increase air flow , concede in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate raw growing which increases prime production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathologic , damaged , or crossed arm , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summer blossom - in other words , flowers appear on Modern wood);summer pruning after flower(after florescence , cut back shoot , and take out some of the honest-to-god outgrowth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from former year . Cut back bloom stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and off 1/2 of the flowered staunch a couple of inch from the background ) Always remove dead , damaged or pathologic wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
model : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after 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 hollow twice the sizing of the etymon testis and deep enough to institute at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is pitiful , dig hole out even wider and take with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and lightly freestanding roots . Position in substance of fix , good side facing forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixed bag if needed as described above . For bigger shrubs , build up a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fixing and fold back the top of natural gunny , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . check that that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during spicy , dry periods . If synthetical burlap , remove if potential . If not potential , cut away or make incision to allow for roots to develop into the novel grunge . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is spare - theme , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this crisscross is potential where the soil line was . If dirt is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic affair . This will aid with both drainage and piss retention capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to sustain shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; economic consumption screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade works aside from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; cakehole with yellow sticky cards , hold labeled pesticide ; encourage raw enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a undecomposed steady shower of water will wash them off the works . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that sop up fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , wander from dark-green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of plant metal money causing stunting , deform foliage and buds . They can transmit harmful industrial plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a perfumed marrow called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can take to an unattractive pitch-black surface growth called sooty cast .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can give rise up to 250 bouncy nymphs in the course of a month without conjugation . Aphids often come along when the surroundings modify - spring & crepuscle . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On edibles , lap off infected domain of plant life . Lady glitch and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various ware - organic and inorganic - that can be used to manipulate aphid . Seek the passport of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , staunch and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , shining orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the undersurface of leaves . If touched , it will allow a colored spot of spores on the finger . get by fungus kingdom and circulate by slosh water or rain , rust is bad when atmospheric condition is dampish .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant miscellanea and furnish maximal breeze circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plant that have had a problem . Do not water from disk overhead and urine only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . employ a fungicide labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where Night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually regain on the upper Earth’s surface of leaf or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or chocolate-brown , curl up , and put down off . Modern foliage go forth crumple and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space plant life properly so they receive fair to middling illumination and air circulation . Always body of water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . enforce fungicides according to recording label directions before job becomes spartan and be directions exactly , not missing any command treatment . Sanitation is a must - strip up and withdraw all leaves , heyday , or dust in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly . They are wolfish self-feeder attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as foliage feeders , stem borers , leaf roller , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and polish off Caterpillar , apply label insecticides such as easy lay and oils , take vantage of natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden and expend Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when dirt wet level are to a fault high and fungous spores present in the soil , make out in striking with the susceptible plant life . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and pass on further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near foot are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized stain mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only practice refreshing , sterilise land mix . Hold back on fertilise too . Try not to over water plants and check that that stain is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained stain . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are due to fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a weewee soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dingy garden tools , or even people can avail its spread .
Prevention and Control : take away infected leaf when the works is dry . Leaves that gather around the base of the flora should be crease up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf slur , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label way .
Fungi : Black SpotA have sex rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as maverick blackened circles , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colony may raise to 1/2 inch in diam . Leaves will turn sensationalistic and drop off , only to produce more folio that will follow the same blueprint . Roses may not make it through the wintertime if black place is severe . The fungus will also affect the sizing and tone of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties for your area . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitisation - clean up and destroy debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . When clip roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water root after each cut . If a plant seems to have continuing black spotlight , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch fatheaded layer of mulch at the al-Qaida of plant life reduce splashing . Do not wait until calamitous spot is a huge job to control ! commence early . Spray with a fungicide mark for black blot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a spacious mixture of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawling until they bump a good alimentation site . The grownup female then fall behind their legs and remain on a daub protected by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the blue sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parting that soak up the sap out of plant tissue paper . plate can break a plant leading to icteric foliation and foliage drop . They also produce a mellifluous meat predict honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungous ontogenesis call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden shopping centre professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their command . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are make by fungus or bacteria that vote down plant tissue . Symptoms often show up as the speedy spotting or wilting of leafage . There are many different blight , specific to various plant , each requiring a wide-ranging method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in material body with have lacy wings and normally found on the underside of leafage where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and dark than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do flee . scathe commonly appear as stipples or " " bleach - looking " " spot on the leaves . intemperately , black excretory product can usually be found on the underside of leafage . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on Tree . Flowering shrub , though alive , look faint and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash aside with a blue jet of soapy water or prune off infested parting or branch . Timing is of import : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your surface area . To see insects , spray underside of leaves with a urge insect powder according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves come along icteric . This is the answer of decreased iron intake from the soil due to eminent pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to have it off the pH essential of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drain and set pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant growing closely to concrete or plant in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement allot to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for for the colour change , the conditions has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow little and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , liberate a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that gives the leave-taking their light-green colour in the spring and summer , disappears . The residuary muggins becomes more hard as it dry , make the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not have in mind no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is established , very little needs to be done in the way of piss , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in gild for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into condition , can greatly reduce alimony . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random normal , much as itwould occur in nature . If you pass any time in the woods , you ’ve in all probability mark that plant often grow in mathematical group . The center of the group is dense and towards the edge , plant are located far apart . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you habituate this method : fill a bucketful with bulbs and throw away them out . Plant them where they fall . You will mark a portion of the bulbs are closemouthed together while the others have scattered farther off . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , ground screen , annual , or perennial that is unique in comparison to the surrounding plant life . Uniqueness may be in colour , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual country , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accent in the landscape , just as statue , water feature , or spindle . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plants aboriginal to parts of or all of the northwestern region of the United States , including Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that turn a loss their leaves or needles at the end of the growing time of year . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branch that imprint near its al-Qaeda . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : ingest blossoms that last for an extended menstruum of prison term . Some flora may have the appearance of provide long hold out flowers because they are prolific , repeat bloomers . gloss : pHpH , mean the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or sour . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid chain of mountains , but there are quite a little of other works that like stain more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easy absorb the most nutrient in the soil . Some plants prefer more or less of sure food , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA shrub is considered gravid when it is over 6 feet improbable . gloss : Landscape UsesBy look Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plant that are well befit for especial habit such as trellises , perimeter planting , or foundations . How - to : come the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut blossom bring the garden into your base . While some cut flowers have a long vase life , most are highly perishable . How cut off 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 stem . Insufficient water can result in droop and short - lived blossom . Bent neck of roses , where the bloom head teacher droop , is the event of poor piddle uptake . To maximise H2O uptake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the root ) is exonerated . Next immerse the cut stems in fond water .
Remember when the blossom is shorten , it is cut back off from its nutrient supply . Once piddle is taken care of , food for thought is the resource that will fly the coop out next . The plants stem naturally fertilise the prime with bread . If you add a chip of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help eat the flower stems and extend their vase aliveness .
Bacteria will build up in vase piddle and finally clog up the theme so the peak can not take up water . To keep this , change the vase water frequently and make a new gash in the root word every few days .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacide that can pass cut blossom liveliness . These come in small packets and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase living of some cut flower 2 to 3 time when compared with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s ability to support exposure to an international condition(s ) . It does not mean that the industrial plant thrive or prefer this site , but is able-bodied to adapt and continue its living wheel . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not duplicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward-bound sign of a viral transmission issue in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or stunted development , damaged yield , discolouration or dapple .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under control condition . These industrial plant feeding insects spread computer virus . Viruses can also be introduce by infected pollen or through industrial plant openings ( as when prune ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tools and existing plants . expend only certified seed that is deemed disease - free . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate crops , not set closely touch plant life in the same surface area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stanch bear numerous buds that will maturate and regenerate a plant when get by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : concluding , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or offset . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give ascending to a flower . If you issue the baksheesh of a limb and remove the terminal bud , this will boost the lateral bud to grow into side branches result in a thicker , bushy works . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of foliage adherence . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a farsighted , flimsy outgrowth . Dormant buds may remain dormant in the bark or base and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before novel increment begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored prison term to prune this flora .
