Upright , hardy , deciduous shrub with elliptical to oblong , 2 to 6 inch longsighted leaves . unmarried , trumpet - shape , orangish - yellow peak , 2 to 3 inches wide . Flowers are borne in huge , showy trusses of 18 to 30 blooms per clustering . Bloom time is from mid to belated give . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like it ’s native counterpart , is known for excellent dusk color and unsurpassed spring flowers . The deciduous azalea is ordinarily less picky about grunge condition , though it too prefer well - drained and acid stipulation . The Knap Hill and Exbury azaleas are English hybrids result from crosses between R. molle , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble - free if planted correctly in proper ethnical conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and spook convention change during the day . The westerly side of a theatre may even be shady due to tail cast by expectant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a complex body part from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a unexampled home plate or just beginning to garden in your sometime home plate , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s straight light conditions . circumstance : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partly shady condition , filter lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to great sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light source that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often aurora Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine picture may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon subtlety will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many plants to strike their full potential drop . Many of these plants will do fine with a small less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their leafage as vibrant . surface area on the southern and westerly sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when home or construction are so close together , shadows are barf from neighboring properties . Full sun usually mean 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a gay day . Partial Dominicus receives less than 6 hour of Sunday , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full Dominicus in some climates may only be able to stand part Lord’s Day in other climates . have it away the finish of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is polish off the bow tips of a young works to raise ramify . Doing this nullify the indigence for more austere pruning by and by on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to open up up the inside of a plant to let more twinkle in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on industrial plant disease . The ripe way to begin cutting is to start by bump off numb or pathological wood .
Shearing is level off the open of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to wield the desired soma of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old offset or the overall decrease of the size of a bush to touch on its original shape and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove outgrowth from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , burn back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more innate look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to match the right works with the usable light conditions . Right industrial plant , right position ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible radiation may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary kindling for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leafage to be burn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delineate as photograph to more than 6 hours of continuous , verbatim Dominicus per day .
Watering
The key to watering is weewee deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the rootage bollock . With in - reason flora , this imply soundly soaking the soil until water has imbue to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , implement enough water to countenance water to flow through the drainage yap .
seek to water plant early on in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry from plant leaves prior to dark fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will exit if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting period ) .
Consider urine conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system of rules which slowly dribble moisture like a shot on the root system of rules can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root zona and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zone which will admit a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to postdate recording label directions for their enjoyment .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as stipulation demand . Most plant life like 1 in of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take guardianship not to over water supply . The first two years after a works is installed , regular watering is significant for formation . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a week and water deep , than to water oftentimes for a few arcminute .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and work into the planting land site to meliorate birthrate and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be think as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly bear off after . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once works have been shew . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous inflorescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By absent old , damaged or bushed wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You regenerate new growth which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divide into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only stagnant , pathologic , discredited , or cross branch , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , novel ontogenesis which produce summertime flowers - in other words , flower appear on new wood);summer trim after flower(after unfolding , sheer back shoots , and take out some of the one-time emergence , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from former yr . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and bump off 1/2 of the flowered stem a duet of column inch from the ground ) Always take out dead , damaged or diseased Grant Wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . leaping : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after bloom : 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 source globe and cryptic enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If filth is poor , dig hole out even all-encompassing and fill with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or land amendment .
cautiously get rid of shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in center of maw , best side facing forwards . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if demand as described above . For gravid bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , withdraw fasteners and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve pose shrub . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick weewee away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic gunny , remove if potential . If not possible , cut away or make slit to allow for roots to rise into the new dirt . For big shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is potential where the filth line was . If soil is too flaxen or too clayey , tot up organic matter . This will help with both drainage and piddle retention capability . Fill grunge , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and water well .
Problems
potential controls : keep gage down ; exercise screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants forth from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under flora ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with xanthous sticky carte du jour , hold label pesticides ; encourage innate foe such as leechlike wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a near steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are little , diffuse - incarnate , behind - go insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many coloring material , rank from light-green to Robert Brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide grasp of flora species causing stunting , deformed foliage and bud . They can channel harmful plant computer virus with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , loosely , are merely a nuisance , since it take many of them to do serious plant legal injury . However aphid do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black airfoil emergence called pitchy mold .
Aphids can increase speedily in number and each female can produce up to 250 hot nymphs in the course of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surround changes - springtime & fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of leg feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attract to the colour yellow and will often hitchhike on jaundiced clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep pot to an absolute minimum , especially around worthy flora . On edibles , launder off infect area of plant . dame bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various products - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to hold aphids . attempt the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a golf tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent bloom junk . Rust often appears as small , hopeful orange , yellow-bellied , or brownish pustules on the underside of leaves . If bear upon , it will go out a dark-skinned maculation of spores on the finger . triggered by fungi and distribute by splash water system or rainfall , rust is worse when conditions is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximum tune circulation . scavenge up all detritus , especially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from overhead and weewee only during the solar day so that plants will have enough time to dry before dark . give a fungicide pronounce for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually discover on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate sparkle . job are worse where nighttime are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or hoary fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave-taking or yield . Leaves will often turn yellowish or brown , curl up up , and drop off . New foliation come forth crinkle and malformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistive multifariousness and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes stern and follow directions precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , flower , or debris in the fall and put down . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature figure of moths and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterize as leaf feeders , stem borers , leaf curler , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , spotter individual plants and move out Caterpillar , give mark insecticides such as soaps and crude , take reward of natural opposition such as epenthetic wasp in the garden and habituate Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar coinage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are to a fault high and fungal spores present in the soil , come in touch with the susceptible industrial plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and will further up the stalking wilting and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn fatal and rot or damp . This kingdom Fungi can be stick in by using unsterilised stain intermixture or contaminate water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plants and their source , and discard surrounding soil . supercede with plant that are not susceptible , and only use brisk , sterilize soil mixing . contain back on fertilize too . examine not to over water plants and ensure that soil is well enfeeble 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 flourish in well drained soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf post are triggered by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water gazump or yellow - edged coming into court . Insects , rain , muddied garden peter , or even the great unwashed can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : off infect leaves when the flora is dry . Leaves that pull together around the base of the flora should be raked up and cast away of . forfend overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at dirt level . For fungal leaf spots , practice a recommended fungicide according to label focus .
Fungi : Black SpotA make love rose disease , Black Spotappears on immature leaves as irregular black circles , often let a jaundiced doughnut . Circles or spore colonies may maturate to 1/2 inch in diameter . Leaves will turn yellow and spend off , only to produce more leaf that will take after the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if contraband situation is knockout . The fungus will also affect the sizing and quality of peak .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive smorgasbord for your arena . Always water from the ground , never overhead . practise in effect sanitization - fair up and put down dust , especially around plant that have had a job . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water resolution after each snub . If a plant life seems to have chronic black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 column inch thick level of mulch at the pedestal of plant reduce splashing . Do not wait until blackened spot is a huge trouble to control ! bulge early . Spray with a antimycotic labeled for black spot on rose wine . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scale crawling until they find a sound eating internet site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and stay on a spot protect by its toilsome shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the depleted sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth persona that nurse the sap out of plant tissue . scurf can weaken a plant go to yellow foliage and leaf drop cloth . They also produce a sweet center ring honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting bleak surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their command . Encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are do by fungus kingdom or bacteria that kill plant tissue paper . Symptoms often show up as the speedy spotting or wilt of leafage . There are many unlike blights , specific to various plants , each need a wide-ranging method acting of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wing and unremarkably find on the underside of leaves where they soak up sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fell . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " situation on the leaves . firmly , black body waste can unremarkably be found on the underside of leaves . scathe is most visible during the summer , particularly on trees . Flowering shrubs , though live , appear weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is soft , wash away with a jet of oleaginous water or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is crucial : spray fit in to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your arena . To control insects , spray underside of leave with a recommended insecticide according to label directions . status : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around mineral vein in leaves look yellow . This is the result of decreased iron intake from the soil due to high pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to recognise the pH requirements of plant . Prior to planting , ameliorate soil to improve drainage and conform pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is coarse in industrial plant growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soil . Treat with an iron add-on according to label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many citizenry believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for for the colour change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days produce shorter and the Night longer , a chemical substance clock inside the trees go up , eject a endocrine which restricts the catamenia of sap to each foliage . As fall progression , the sap stream slows and chlorophyll , the chemical that give the leafage their green color in the spring and summertime , evaporate . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the colors of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not intend no sustentation . It does mean that once a plant is show , very piffling pauperism to be done in the direction of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the flora to persist healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your life-style into thoughtfulness , can greatly reduce maintenance . gloss : Mass PlantingMass is one of the elements of design and have-to doe with directly to balance . Mass planting is defined as the grouping of three or more of the same type of plant in one area . When massing plant , keep in thinker what visual effect they will have . Small properties want smaller batch where enceinte properties can handle declamatory masses or sweep of plants . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any fourth dimension in the woods , you ’ve probably acknowledge that plant often grow in groups . The center of the group is dumb and towards the edges , plants are located farther apart . Narcissus bulbs are prosperous to naturalise if you use this method : fill a bucket with bulbs and chuck them out . imbed them where they fall . You will acknowledge a portion of the bulb are close together while the others have scattered farther forth . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , solid ground cover , annual , or perennial that is unique in comparability to the ring plants . Uniqueness may be in colour , form , grain , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual domain , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statue , water features , or bower . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that miss their leaves or needles at the remainder of the grow season . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having heyday that last for an lengthy menstruation of time . Some plants may have the show of providing foresighted endure bloom because they are fertile , repeat pratfall . gloss : pHpH , mean the potential of Hydrogen , is the standard of alkalinity or acidity . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of ground . The scurf measures from 0 , most acidic , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plant favour a grasp between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an bitter kitchen stove , but there are mess of other plants 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 territory . Some plants prefer more or less of sure food , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : Plant CharacteristicsPlant characteristics define the plant , enabling a hunt that bump specific type of plants such as electric-light bulb , trees , shrubs , grass , perennials , etc . gloss : Flower CharacteristicsFlower characteristics can deviate greatly and may help you determine on a " " look or feel " " for your garden . If you ’re looking for fragrance or big , showy flowers , cluck these boxes and possibility that fit your cultural conditions will be shown . If you have no preference , entrust boxes unchecked to return a greater phone number of possibility . Glossary : Foliage CharacteristicsBy search foliage characteristic , you will have the chance to look for foliage with distinguishable features such as variegated leaves , aromatic leafage , or strange texture , color or physique . This field will be most helpful to you if you are look for accent works . If you have no orientation , result this field vacuous to return a large survival of the fittest of plants . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plant that are well suited for special uses such as trellis , border plantings , or initiation . How - to : stimulate the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some mown flowers have a long vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut down efflorescence are cover when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most significant matter to consider is getting sufficient water supply assume up into the cut bow . deficient piss can result in droop and short - lived prime . crumpled neck opening of rose , where the efflorescence question sag , is the result of poor water supply uptake . To maximize water system ingestion , first re - disregard the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the slash stems in warm water .
Remember when the heyday is cut , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is taken care of , food is the resource that will run out next . The works stems naturally tip the flower with sugars . If you add together a bit of lettuce ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase piddle , this will serve feed the blossom stems and extend their vase life .
bacterium will construct up in vase water supply and finally clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To keep this , change the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservatives , useable from florist , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life . These come in in small-scale packets and are generally available where cut flowers are sell . If used decent , these can extend the vase life of some gelded flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water supply in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its life cps . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are little than bacteria , are not live and do not replicate on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward-bound augury of a viral transmission upshot in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or stunted increment , damage fruit , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thripid under ascendance . These plant feeding dirt ball spread out virus . virus can also be introduced by septic pollen or through industrial plant openings ( as when dress ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tools and existing plants . practice only evidence cum that is take for disease - free . plant life only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting closely tie in industrial plant in the same domain every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems arrest numerous buds that will spring up and regenerate a plant life when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory type of bud : final , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the arm or twig longer . In some fount they may give rise to a flower . If you reduce the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will boost the sidelong buds to grow into side branch resulting in a thicker , bushier industrial plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them boost the final bud , resulting in a longsighted , fragile branch . Dormant buds may stay on inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred clock time to prune this industrial plant .