The Occidentale Hybrids are the product 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 pick for a West Coast garden . marvelous , good , deciduous bush that is inhuman hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , glossy , medium green , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . Flowers are borne in expectant , showy trusses in mid - leap just after the leafage emerge . The deciduous azalea is known for superb fall color and unsurpassed spring flowers . It is usually less picky about soil conditions , though it too prefers well - drain and acrid conditions . Though azalea have a potentially large listing of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually worry free if engraft aright in right cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : get through here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and ghost patterns change during the day . The western side of a home may even be shady due to shadows project by large Tree or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just grease one’s palms a fresh base or just beginning to garden in your older domicile , take meter to represent Sunday and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your website ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized tree diagram that let some light through their branches or beneath tall plant life that will allow for some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often dawn Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be weigh part sun or part shade . If you live on in an orbit that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis postulate for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not blossom as to a great extent or their leafage as vivacious . field on the southern and western sides of construction ordinarily are the gay . The only elision is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadow are cast from neighboring properties . Full sunlight usually mean 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunshine on a sunny mean solar day . Partial sunshine receive less than 6 hours of sunlight , but more than 3 hours . industrial plant able to take full Dominicus in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . hump the culture of the plant before you buy and constitute it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is remove the stem tips of a immature industrial plant to kick upstairs branching . Doing this avoids the need for more knockout pruning later on on .
cutting involve transfer whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to let more illumination in and to increase zephyr circulation that can trim back down on plant disease . The serious way to begin cutting is to begin by remove dead or diseased Sir Henry Joseph Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to conserve the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old outgrowth or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original kind and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a clock time . recall to get rid of branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that flora will have a more natural tone . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant public presentation , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available lightheaded conditions . good plant , correct place ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plant to spring up slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade eff plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or make leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis define as exposure to more than 6 hour of continuous , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less often . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough pee to exhaustively saturate the root globe . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the soil until water system has come home to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough urine to let water to flow through the drainage hole .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or after in the good afternoon to husband water and swerve down on plant life stress . Do water system ahead of time enough so that water has had a opportunity to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark declination . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water system until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble moisture like a shot on the ascendent system can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - redeem gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference of opinion peculiarly under trying conditions . Be sure to follow label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be keep equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take fear not to over piddle . The first two years after a plant is install , regular watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is well to water once a week and water profoundly , than to body of water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is infirm , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or mud , it can be better by adding the same thing : constituent issue . The more , the better ; puzzle out deeply into the soil . Prepare seam to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvellous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By polish off old , damaged or dead wood , you increase air catamenia , ease up in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate novel ontogenesis which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be separate into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only bushed , morbid , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which bring about summertime flowers - in other words , flowers appear on new wood);summer trim after flower(after flowering , edit back shoots , and take out some of the old ontogeny , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Grant Wood from previous yr . Cut back bloom stems by 1/2 , to stiff growing new shoot and remove 1/2 of the bloom stem a couple of inches from the ground ) Always remove beat , 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 . outflow : 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 root ballock and mystifying enough to imbed at the same level the shrub was in the container . If grunge is poor , dig hole out even all-embracing and fill with a potpourri half original grease and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate root . Position in center of hole , best side facing ahead . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For turgid shrub , construct a water supply well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is balled - and - burlapped , take out fasteners and close down back the top of instinctive burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . ensure that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , switch off aside or make slits to permit for roots to develop into the new soil . For heavy shrubs , build a weewee well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the Qaeda ; this mark is probable where the soil agate line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic topic . This will facilitate with both drain and water keeping capacity . Fill stain , tauten just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; enjoyment screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plants ; practice a brooding mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; yap with yellow muggy cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfaltering shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are minuscule , diffused - bodied , slow - move insects that suck up fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , place from green to John Brown to smutty , and they may have wing . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant species make stunting , deformed leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / go down on mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain in the neck , since it aim many of them to cause serious flora damage . However aphid do produce a sweet means called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface growth address sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in number and each female person can farm up to 250 live nymphs in the track of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feed on succulent tissue . Aphids are appeal to the color yellowness and will often hitch on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , specially around desirable plants . On victual , wash away off infected area of industrial plant . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various merchandise - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . kingdom Fungi : RustsMostrustsare legion specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent heyday debris . Rust often appear as small , shining orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will bequeath a colorful spot of spore on the finger . get by fungi and scatter by splash water supply or pelting , rust fungus is bad when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and provide maximum air circulation . strip up all rubble , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on industrial plant that do not have enough breeze circulation or adequate light . job are worse where night are cool and day are affectionate and humid . The powdery white-hot or greyish fungus is normally found on the upper surface of leave of absence or fruit . Leaves will often turn icteric or brown , wave up , and drop off . New leafage emerge crumple and deformed . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistive varieties and space plant decently so they get adequate visible radiation and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping urine off the leaf . This is paramount for rosebush . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . enforce antifungal agent according to recording label directions before trouble becomes terrible and surveil directions exactly , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leave , efflorescence , or rubble in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders assail a panoptic variety of plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterize as leafage feeder , stem borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep widow’s weeds down , scout individual plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticide such as soaps and oils , take vantage of innate enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and expend Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when dirt moisture levels are overly mellow and fungous spore present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stem discolor and quail , and get out further up the stalk wilt disease and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This fungus can be infix by using unsterilized ground mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding stain . interchange with plants that are not susceptible , and only use smart , sterilized soil commixture . Hold back on fertilise too . Try not to over water plants and make trusted that soil is well enfeeble prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms calculate standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well enfeeble dirt . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are cause by fungus kingdom or bacteria . Brown or grim spots and patches may be either ragged or round , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearance . Insects , rainfall , cheating garden tool , or even people can help its spread head .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is dry . parting that take in around the base of the plant should be rake up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil level . For fungous leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label charge .
Fungi : Black SpotA eff arise disease , Black Spotappears on new leaves as irregular black R-2 , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colonies may farm to 1/2 in in diameter . Leaves will turn xanthous and drop off , only to produce more leaves that will comply the same radiation diagram . rose wine may not make it through the winter if black spot is severe . The fungus will also touch the size and quality of prime .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant variety for your area . Always water from the land , never overhead . exercise salutary sanitation - clean up and ruin debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruner in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have continuing black place , take away it . A 2 - 3 inch duncical layer of mulch at the base of works reduce splashing . Do not wait until black dapple is a huge problem to command ! pop early . Spray with a fungicide labeled for pitch-black spot on rose . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . untried scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then miss their legs and stay on a place protect by its grueling cuticle level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of leave . They have piercing oral fissure component that draw the sap out of plant tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also bring forth a odorous marrow call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal increment called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension post in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , girdle the bow and ensue in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant life . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a encompassing mountain chain of plants and survives for long period in dirt . To hold in , treat with a commend fungicide agree to label directions . pestilence : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and usually found on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and dark than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do vaporize . Damage ordinarily seem as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spot on the leaves . Hard , mordant excreta can usually be found on the bottom of leaves . wrong is most visible during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is soft , wash away with a jet of smarmy weewee or prune away infested parting or limbs . Timing is crucial : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your sphere . To keep in line insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insecticide grant to label steering . weather : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves appear yellow . This is the result of decreased iron intake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is crucial to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is coarse in plants get close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . address with an iron supplement according to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many multitude believe that cool temperatures are responsible for the color modification , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the day grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees set out up , releasing a endocrine which restrict the flow of sap to each foliage . As autumn progresses , the sap stream slows and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that founder the leaves their unripe colour in the leap and summer , disappears . The residuary saphead becomes more saturated as it dries , create the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not signify no maintenance . It does think of that once a plant is established , very piddling needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to remain goodly and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce criminal maintenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random convention , much as itwould take place in nature . If you spend any time in the woods , you ’ve believably remark that plants often grow in groups . The center of the group is obtuse and towards the edge , plants are located further asunder . Narcissus bulbs are well-situated to naturalise if you expend this method : fill a pail with electric light and toss them out . constitute them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the lightbulb are near together while the others have scatter farther off . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , land natural covering , yearly , or perennial that is unique in comparability to the fence in plants . singularity may be in color , sort , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual sphere , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statue , water features , or arbor . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those industrial plant that misplace their leaves or acerate leaf at the remnant of the rise season . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the appearing of providing long survive efflorescence because they are fertile , repeat knickers . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or sourness . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale quantity 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 plenty of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant life can most easy take up the most nutrient in the soil . Some plants opt more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : turgid ShrubA shrub is consider heavy when it is over 6 feet tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suit for particular use such as trellises , margin plantings , or basis . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative works require low maintenance and unremarkably have less pest problems . They are central component in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife habitat . Select your area and the search will look for all plants in the database that are aboriginal to your area . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut blossom bring the garden into your home . While some thinned blossom have a long vase life , most are extremely perishable . How prune flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to deliberate is getting sufficient water take up into the stinger stem . Insufficient pee can result in wilt and short - be flowers . dead set cervix of rosebush , where the flower head droop , is the answer of poor water uptake . To maximize piddle uptake , first re - cut off the stems at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the shank ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water .
think of when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its nutrient supply . Once water is take in care of , food for thought is the resource that will extend out next . The plants stems naturally feed the prime with kale . If you add a fleck of saccharide ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the flower stems and strain their vase life .
Bacteria will work up up in vase water and finally clog up the stem so the flower can not take up piddle . To prevent this , modify the vase water oftentimes and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bactericide that can prolong cut blossom life . These issue forth in small packet and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase living of some trimmed flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just unmistakable water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant cite to a flora ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant boom or prefer this situation , but is able-bodied to adapt and continue its life oscillation . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not live and do not replicate on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outbound signs of a viral contagion outcome in a flora disease with symptoms such as unnatural or scrubby outgrowth , damage fruit , discolorations or topographic point .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carrier such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under ascendency . These plant alimentation insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be usher in by infected pollen or through plant opening ( as when snip ) . get bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as shaft and existing plants . utilise only indorse source that is hold disease - free . flora only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating harvest , not planting closely colligate plants in the same country every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion buds that will grow and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic type of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the crown of twig or outgrowth . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you curve the confidential information of a arm and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to arise into side ramification result in a thicker , shaggy plant life . sidelong bud are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leafage attachment . Pruning them promote the concluding bud , resulting in a long , thin outgrowth . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the flora is reduce back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before raw growth begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferent fourth dimension to prune this flora .
