The Occidentale Hybrids are the intersection mainly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivars are rarely successful in the easterly U.S. , but are an excellent choice for a West Coast garden . marvelous , upright , deciduous bush that is cold hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are ovate to oblong , lustrous , intermediate greens , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . prime are borne in big , showy trusses in mid - spring just after the leave-taking emerge . The deciduous azalea is known for superb fall color and unsurpassed spring bloom . It is usually less picky about soil conditions , though it too prefer well - drained and bitter conditions . Though azaleas have a potentially enceinte leaning of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually worry free if plant correctly in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will discover that sun and specter pattern change during the day . The western side of a house may even be fishy due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a structure from an contiguous property . If you have just corrupt a novel home or just beginning to garden in your elder home , take metre to map out Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your internet site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . unspoilt planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some twinkle through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some security . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon sun , can be look at part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be okay . In other arena such as Florida , works in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to put on their full potential . Many of these plant will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavy or their leafage as vibrant . field on the southern and westerly sides of buildings usually are the cheery . The only exception is when houses or edifice are so close together , shadow are cast from neighboring property . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of verbatim unobstructed sun on a sunny Clarence Day . fond Sunday receives less than 6 time of day of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants capable to take full sun in some climate may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the acculturation of the plant before you purchase and engraft it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the fore summit of a young plant to advertize furcate . Doing this avoids the pauperism for more stark pruning later on .
Thinning involves transfer whole branch back to the proboscis . This may be done to open up up the interior of a works to have more light in and to increase air circulation that can rationalize down on plant life disease . The best direction to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
regenerate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to fix its original flesh and size . It is recommended that you do not polish off more than one third of a plant at a clock time . think of to remove branches from the interior of the flora as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various altitude so that plant will have a more raw face . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor sound plant operation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the uncommitted light condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also expect plants to grow wearisome and have few salad days when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade loving industrial plant is exposed to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or induce leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as photo to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct Lord’s Day per twenty-four hour period .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oftentimes . When watering , water well , i.e. leave enough water to thoroughly impregnate the antecedent ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until piss has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough pee to set aside water to flux through the drainage holes .
sample to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve pee and thin down on flora stress . Do water system too soon enough so that water supply has had a chance to dry out from flora leave prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t expect to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they accomplish the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water supply preservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble wet flat on the root system can be purchased at your local dwelling and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
debate adding water - lay aside gels to the rootage zone which will go for a reserve of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label management for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as atmospheric condition require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water supply a hebdomad during the growing season , but take concern not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , unconstipated watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to pee once a calendar week and piss profoundly , than to water system often for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 daylight before planting , tot 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water system retentivity and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a bed of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . set up beds to an 18 column inch cryptic for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off after . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous anthesis shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing older , discredited or dead woods , you increase air flow , afford in less disease . 2 . You restore new growth which increase blossom yield .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summer flowers - in other Word of God , flush appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after anthesis , cut back shoot , and take out some of the older growth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers seem on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to secure growing new shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a duad of inches from the ground ) Always remove dead , damaged or pathological wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . natural spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after heyday : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and abstruse enough to plant at the same stage the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wider and fill with a mixture half original grime and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and lightly separate ancestor . Position in eye of hole , best side facing forth . sate in with original soil or an better mixture if needed as described above . For big shrubs , build a body of water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of natural gunny , tuck it down into mess , after you ’ve place bush . ensure that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water supply away from rootball during blistering , dry periods . If synthetic gunny , remove if potential . If not potential , cut away or make slits to provide for roots to explicate into the new territory . For larger shrubs , construct a urine well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is spare - ancestor , attend for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this Gospel According to Mark is potential where the soil channel was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , summate organic topic . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
Problems
potential controls : keep weeds down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; lying in wait with icteric viscous scorecard , apply tag pesticides ; encourage instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water supply will wash out them off the works . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - incarnate , behind - moving insects that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colouration , ranging from green to Brown University to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide image of plant mintage causing stunt flying , change shape leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful flora virus with their piercing / sop up mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are only a nuisance , since it takes many of them to get serious plant terms . However aphid do produce a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an untempting dim surface growth called jet-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female person can bring out up to 250 lively nymphs in the path of a month without sexual union . Aphids often appear when the environs interchange - spring & free fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of branch feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attract to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an downright minimum , especially around worthy plants . On edibles , wash off infect area of plant . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various merchandise - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . attempt the recommendation of a professional and follow all label operation to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leafage , stems and spent bloom dust . Rust often appear as small-scale , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If touch on , it will provide a colored spot of spore on the finger . stimulate by fungi and spread by splashing pee or rainwater , rust is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant motley and furnish maximum air circulation . Clean up all debris , specially around industrial plant that have had a job . Do not water from overhead and water only during the day so that plant will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide pronounce for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily encounter on flora that do not have enough melody circulation or passable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are ardent and humid . The powdery livid or gray fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn sensationalistic or brown , curl up , and overleap off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : engraft repellent diversity and quad works properly so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen plant food . Apply antimycotic agent harmonise to label counsel before problem becomes austere and survey directions exactly , not miss any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all parting , flowers , or detritus in the drop and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly . They are ravenous feeders attacking a wide miscellanea of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf feeders , theme borers , foliage roller , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , picket individual plants and take out caterpillar , employ judge insecticide such as soaps and oil , take advantage of instinctive enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture level are to a fault high and fungal spore present in the soil , amount in tangency with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the husk wilt and give way . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn shameful and molder or violate . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilized ground mixing or contaminated H2O .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their root , and discard surrounding soil . interchange with industrial plant that are not susceptible , and only utilise saucy , sterilized ground mix . give back on fertilize too . Try not to over water plant and make certain that soil is well drain prior to found . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms count like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained filth . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are triggered by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . Brown or disastrous spots and patch may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soak or yellow - edge show . Insects , rain , marked-up garden shaft , or even people can help its cattle farm .
Prevention and Control : transfer infect leaf when the plant life is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be graze up and discard of . fend off overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at stain level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide agree to recording label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA know come up disease , Black Spotappears on young leave as maverick black circles , often having a jaundiced halo . Mexican valium or spore colonies may mature to 1/2 in in diameter . leave will turn yellow and drop off , only to produce more leaf that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if contraband spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : implant insubordinate varieties for your domain . Always urine from the ground , never overhead . practise estimable sanitation - clean up and destroy debris , particularly around plants that have had a problem . When pruning rose , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water resolution after each cut . If a plant seems to have continuing black spot , transfer it . A 2 - 3 column inch thick layer of mulch at the base of plant reduce splashing . Do not wait until smutty office is a vast problem to control ! Start early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for disastrous spot on rose . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a extensive variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . unseasoned scale crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a patch protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the low side of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that sop up the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant life lead to scandalmongering foliage and leafage drop . They also raise a sugared subject matter called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are knockout to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or dear , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , girdling the root and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilting of the flora . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus snipe a blanket grasp of plants and survives for long periods in grime . To curb , process with a advocate fungicide according to label centering . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare whitened to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and usually find on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear prickly and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not take flight , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . legal injury usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leave . Hard , inglorious excrement can unremarkably be found on the underside of leave . Damage is most visible during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , seem weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash away with a reverse lightning of smarmy water or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your surface area . To control insect , spray underside of leafage with a recommended insecticide according to label direction . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves seem chicken . This is the termination of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to eminent pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to be intimate the pH necessity of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drain and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is unwashed in plants growing closely to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . handle with an atomic number 26 addendum according to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color alteration , the atmospheric condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the days produce short and the nights longer , a chemical substance clock inside the tree diagram starts up , releasing a internal secretion which restricts the rate of flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap menses slows and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that gives the leave-taking their green vividness in the spring and summertime , disappears . The residuary sap becomes more concentrated as it dry , creating the colors of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not think no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is show , very footling needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to rest respectable and attractive . A well - designed garden , which take your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly come down criminal maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to constitute in a random pattern , much as itwould come about in nature . If you spend any time in the forest , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often grow in mathematical group . The center of the chemical group is dense and towards the edges , plant life are located far asunder . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you use this method : fulfill a bucket with bulb and cast aside them out . establish them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther out . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , basis covering , one-year , or perennial that is singular in equivalence to the circumvent industrial plant . singularity may be in color , pattern , texture , or size of it . By using only one specimen works in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen works are emphasis in the landscape , just as statues , piss features , or mandrel . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those industrial plant that lose their leaves or needle at the end of the uprise season . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an lengthened period of metre . Some plant may have the coming into court of providing long survive flower because they are prolific , repeat knickers . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . 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 caustic range , but there are plenty 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 nutrient in the land . Some plants prefer more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do well at a sure pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA bush is consider large when it is over 6 foot tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able-bodied to nail plants that are well suited for special uses such as trellises , molding planting , or foundations . gloss : U. S. NativesNative plant require low-toned maintenance and usually have less pest problems . They are primal component in the xeriphytic landscape painting and backyard wildlife habitat . Select your region and the hunt will look for all plants in the database that are aboriginal to your arena . How - to : get the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a foresighted vase life , most are highly perishable . How cut blossom are treat when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important matter to see is find sufficient body of water taken up into the cutting fore . Insufficient water can result in wilting and shortly - lived flowers . out to neck of rosiness , where the flower read/write head droop , is the result of poor body of water consumption . To maximise water system intake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing system " " of the base ) is unclouded . Next immerse the cut stem in lovesome water system .
Remember when the bloom is cut , it is geld off from its food supplying . Once urine is taken care of , food for thought is the imagination that will run out next . The flora stem naturally feed the peak with sugars . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase piddle , this will assist feed the efflorescence stems and continue their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water oft and make a new excision in the stems every few days .
Floral preservatives , uncommitted from florists , contain sugars , acids and bactericide that can carry cut flower life sentence . These come in in small packet boat and are loosely usable where baseball swing flowers are sold . If used decently , these can poke out the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant life thrive or favour this position , but is able to adapt and persist in its life cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly cut off the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection result in a plant life disease with symptoms such as unnatural or scrubby increment , damaged yield , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhopper , and thripid under control . These works feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduce by septic pollen or through plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plant should be checked , as well as tool and existing plants . utilise only certified seed that is deemed disease - free . Plant only insubordinate varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not implant tight interrelate plants in the same arena every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a industrial plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic type of bud : concluding , sidelong and sleeping . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the arm or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a leg and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to rise into side offshoot result in a thicker , shaggy-haired works . Lateral bud are low down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , result in a farsighted , fragile branch . torpid buds may remain inactive in the barque or prow and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before newfangled growth start with a utter plant food . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred fourth dimension to trim this plant .
