vertical to wide spread out , evergreen plant azalea develop primarily for dusty hardiness along the mid - Atlantic states . Single , funnel - shaped , rich red flower with purple - flushed blotch and livid al-Qa’ida , 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches wide of the mark . Flowers are borne in showy trusses of 1 to 4 per clump . blossom metre is late April in tender areas and as lately as early June in cooler climates . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : eminent and in well - drained , caustic land , rich with constituent subject . This is usually a back of the border azalea because most of the Glenn Dales are taller , though not all . Filtered light is just . Though azaleas have a potentially expectant list of potential pest and disease problems , they are normally trouble detached if plant aright in right cultural conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sunlight and shade patterns transfer during the day . The western side of a firm may even be umbrageous due to shadow vomit by declamatory trees or a structure from an side by side place . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s reliable scant condition . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady weather condition , filter lightis paragon . safe planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that allow some light through their leg or beneath taller plants that will provide some trade protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a fix where afternoon shade will be meet . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis take for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not blossom as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . expanse on the southern and westerly side of construction commonly are the sunniest . The only elision is when home or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring property . Full sun unremarkably means 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunshine on a gay day . fond sun receives less than 6 hour of Sunday , but more than 3 minute . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part Dominicus in other climates . be intimate the culture of the flora before you buy and embed it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the bow tips of a young works to boost furcate . Doing this avoids the need for more grave pruning after on .
cutting involve take whole branch back to the body . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase line circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin cutting is to start out by remove bushed or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the aerofoil of a shrub using handwriting or electric shears . This is done to preserve the hope flesh of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old leg or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original shape and sizing . It is commend that you do not hit more than one third of a plant at a meter . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more instinctive flavor . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant , veracious home ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become sick in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect works to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also encounter too much Christ Within . If a shade loving plant is unwrap to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as photo to more than 6 60 minutes of continuous , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water profoundly and less frequently . When lachrymation , piss well , i.e. put up enough water supply to exhaustively saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means good soaking the territory until body of water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being adept ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to grant water to flux through the drainage holes .
endeavor to irrigate plants early on in the day or by and by in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on works tenseness . Do body of water too soon enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to dark drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t await to urine until works droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip wet straightaway on the root system can be purchased at your local home base and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve moisture .
study adding piddle - save up gels to the root zona which will have a reticence of water for the flora . These can make a world of deviation especially under trying circumstance . Be certain to follow recording label focus for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as condition call for . Most plants like 1 in of piddle a hebdomad during the get season , but take care not to over water . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular tearing is important for brass . The first yr is critical . It is better to water once a hebdomad and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few transactions .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same matter : constituent affair . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . organize beds to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reason : 1 . By removing old , discredited or dead wood , you increase atmosphere flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increase bloom production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or queer branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , young growth which bring out summer peak - in other word , heyday appear on new wood);summer trim after flower(after flowering , turn out back shoot , and take out some of the erstwhile emergence , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers come out on woodwind instrument from previous yr . Cut back blossom stems by 1/2 , to unattackable growing novel shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stem a couple of in from the ground ) Always transfer stagnant , discredited or pathological wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
illustration : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer 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 hole twice the size of the tooth root ball and deep enough to engraft at the same level the bush was in the container . If territory is misfortunate , dig hole out even wider and fill up with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully murder bush from container and mildly disjoined roots . Position in center of muddle , best side face ahead . fulfil in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of instinctive burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all burlap is entomb so that it wo n’t wick weewee by from rootball during hot , dry periods . If man-made gunny , withdraw if possible . If not potential , cut off or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the Modern soil . For gravid shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is naked - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil business was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic thing . This will help with both drainage and water retention electrical capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to indorse shrub . Finish by mulch and water well .
Problems
potential control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infested plant life away from non - infested plants ; expend a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with white-livered mucilaginous poster , hold judge pesticides ; encourage innate enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a ripe firm cascade of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , indulgent - corporate , slowly - moving dirt ball that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many color , range from green to brown to grim , and they may have wings . They aggress a all-embracing mountain chain of industrial plant specie causing stunt flying , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are just a pain , since it take many of them to get serious plant harm . However aphids do grow a sweet heart forebode honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface ontogenesis promise jet mold .
Aphids can increase quick in numbers and each female can give rise up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often look when the environment changes - spring & declension . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feed on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plants . On edibles , lave off infected area of plant . peeress bug and lacewings will course on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . assay the passport of a professional and abide by all recording label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on folio , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , yellow , or brownish pustule on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will leave a dyed situation of spores on the finger . stimulate by fungus kingdom and overspread by splashing weewee or rainwater , rust is risky when atmospheric condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and supply maximum gentle wind circulation . Clean up all dust , especially around plants that have had a job . Do not water from budget items and water supply only during the Clarence Day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a antimycotic agent labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often sour jaundiced or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerges wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : engraft insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides accord to label counsel before problem becomes life-threatening and follow directions precisely , not overleap any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or rubble in the fall and destroy . pesterer : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the green form of moths and butterflies . They are ravening eater lash out a wide variety of industrial plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leafage feeders , stem borers , folio rollers , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout single plants and withdraw caterpillars , practice labeled insecticide such as max and vegetable oil , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are excessively high and fungal spores present in the filth , come in contact with the susceptible plant life . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and result further up the stalk wilting and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and molder or break . This fungus can be introduce by using unsterilized soil premix or pollute water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant life and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil mix . Hold back on fertilize too . Try not to over water plants and verify that soil is well debilitate prior to institute . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look exchangeable to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained grunge . plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a panoptic variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale creeping until they find oneself a good eating site . The adult females then lose their legs and continue on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the humbled incline of parting . They have pierce rima oris parts that take in the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet kernel cry honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . confer with your local garden nerve centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural foe such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Diseases : southerly BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the stem at , or cheeseparing , the soil pedigree . These wound train quickly , girdle the stem and result in a sudden and permanent wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a wide-cut stove of plants and subsist for long periods in grime . To hold in , deal with a recommended antimycotic according to recording label directions . pestilence : LacebugsLacebugsare livid to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in form with have lacy annexe and usually found on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . nymph may appear setose and dour than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do pilot . Damage ordinarily appears as stipples or " " bleach out - look " " smudge on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can ordinarily be find oneself on the undersurface of farewell . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alert , seem weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash away with a jet of soapy water or prune away overrun leaves or limb . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your sphere . To insure dirt ball , spray underside of leave with a recommended insecticide according to label direction . precondition : ChlorosisEntire leaf or area around vein in leave appear yellow . This is the result of decreased branding iron uptake from the stain due to higher pH or waterlogged grease . It is important to know the pH requirements of plant life . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drain and correct pH , if necessary . greensickness is coarse in plants growing close to concrete or plant in alkaline soils . Treat with an branding iron accessory according to recording label commission .
Miscellaneous
The most of import thing to consider is draw sufficient pee taken up into the cut stem . deficient water can leave in wilt and short - lived bloom . bended cervix of roses , where the flower head droop , is the result of poor water uptake . To maximise water consumption , first re - cut the radical at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the theme ) is clear . Next immerse the slash stems in warm body of water .
Remember when the flush is cut , it is abridge off from its food provision . Once water is taken fear of , food for thought is the imagination that will run out next . The plants stems naturally eat the peak with lucre . If you add a morsel of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the efflorescence stems and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will establish up in vase water supply and eventually clog up the stem so the flush can not take up weewee . To prevent this , modify the vase water frequently and make a young cut in the stems every few days .
flowered preservatives , available from florists , contain bread , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life story . These come in small packet and are broadly speaking useable where cut flower are sell . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some emasculated heyday 2 to 3 times when compare with just plain urine in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a industrial plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an outside condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its life cycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stanch moderate numerous bud that will grow and renew a works when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic type of buds : terminal , sidelong and torpid . Terminal buds are at the tips of twig or branches . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a efflorescence . If you disregard the gratuity of a branch and remove the concluding bud , this will encourage the sidelong buds to develop into side outgrowth result in a duncish , bushier flora . Lateral buds are low down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , leave in a long , lean ramification . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the bark or root word and will only grow after the works is rationalise back .