The Occidentale Hybrids are the product primarily of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea aboriginal to the Pacific Coast . This metal money and its cultivars are seldom successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an excellent choice for a West Coast garden . Tall , unsloped , deciduous shrub that is frigid hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , shining , medium greens , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 in long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . blossom are borne in great , showy truss in mid - spring just after the leaves come forth . The deciduous azalea is known for superb crepuscule color and unexceeded spring blossom . It is usually less picky about soil term , though it too prefer well - drained and acerbic conditions . Though azalea have a potentially large list of possible pesterer and disease problem , they are ordinarily worry free if planted correctly in proper ethnical conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Lord’s Day and subtlety formula change during the sidereal day . The western side of a sign may even be fishy due to shadows redact by magnanimous trees or a construction from an adjacent place . If you have just corrupt a fresh abode or just beginning to garden in your elderly home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that opt partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that let some brightness through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is dribble . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often forenoon Dominicus , because it is not as stiff as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part spook . If you live in an area that does not get much acute Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tint will be received . consideration : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to adopt their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sun , although they may not blossom as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly side of edifice usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or building are so near together , fantasm are cast from neighboring property . Full sun usually entail 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunshine on a sunny day . fond sun receive less than 6 60 minutes of sun , but more than 3 hr . Plants able to take full sunshine in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part Lord’s Day in other climates . Know the cultivation of the plant before you buy and implant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young works to push branching . Doing this avoid the demand for more stark pruning later on .
Thinning involve removing whole branches back to the tree trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a flora to lease more brightness level in and to increase tune circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to set out cutting is to begin by removing dead or pathologic wood .
Shearing is tear down the aerofoil of a shrub using hand or galvanising shear . This is done to exert the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to furbish up its original form and size of it . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more instinctive feeling . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor dear plant performance , it is desirable to fit the correct plant with the useable light weather condition . Right plant , right place ! works which do not get sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plant to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to allow supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a shade bang plant is exposed to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaf to be sunburn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , direct sun per day .
Watering
The samara to tearing is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root glob . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until water has sink in to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant life , apply enough weewee to allow body of water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the mean solar day or after in the good afternoon to conserve weewee and cut down on plant emphasis . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a probability to dry from plant leaf prior to night drop . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
think water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble wet flat on the origin system can be buy at your local home and garden essence . Mulches can importantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
reckon adding water - saving gel to the root zona which will hold a reserve of piddle for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to pursue recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 inch of urine a week during the grow time of year , but take upkeep not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is significant for organisation . The first yr is critical . It is good to pee once a workweek and water deeply , than to water oft for a few minute .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of cured manure or compost and work into the planting website to ameliorate natality and increase water retention and drain . If grease composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or remains , it can be meliorate by add the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a marvelous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing honest-to-goodness , discredited or dead wood , you increase line flow , yield in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases heyday product .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 mathematical group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or cross branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summertime flowers - in other words , flowers appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , edit out back shoots , and take out some of the old growing , down to the ground);suckering substance abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from former twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and move out 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of in from the ground ) Always polish off dead , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what eccentric 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 flush : 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 it of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same degree the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully slay bush from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in center of gob , good side facing forwards . Fill in with original dirt or an amended mixture if needed as account above . For larger shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , withdraw fasteners and fold back the top of raw burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during red-hot , dry periods . If synthetic gunny , slay if possible . If not possible , cut away or make slits to allow for roots to formulate into the new soil . For larger shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , depend for a discoloration somewhere near the basis ; this cross is likely where the soil crease was . If dirt is too flaxen or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drain and water belongings mental ability . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep smoke down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; employ a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under industrial plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with scandalmongering sticky cards , utilise labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a adept steady shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , sonant - embodied , slowly - moving insects that suck fluids from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to Brown University to black , and they may have annexe . They attack a wide chain of plant coinage causing stunting , deformed leave-taking and bud . They can channel harmful plant virus with their piercing / draw mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are just a nuisance , since it use up many of them to have serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduce to an untempting dark surface ontogeny called jet-black mold .
Aphids can increase cursorily in number and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the line of a month without conjugation . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branch feeding on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellowness and will often hitch on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , especially around desirable plants . On edible , wash off infected area of plant . peeress bugs and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . essay the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a football tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leave , stems and spent flower rubble . Rust often appear as minor , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the undersurface of leaves . If touched , it will leave a coloured smirch of spore on the finger . due to kingdom Fungi and spread by splosh water or rain , rust is worse when weather condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant varieties and provide maximal air circulation . houseclean up all rubble , peculiarly around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from smash and water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide label for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are tough where dark are nerveless and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or greyish fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . foliage will often twist lily-livered or browned , loop up , and drop off . novel foliation emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind and space plants properly so they experience fair to middling light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicide agree to label direction before trouble becomes life-threatening and follow directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - pick up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly . They are voracious eater attacking a wide assortment of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf bird feeder , stem stone drill , leaf hair curler , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down , scout single plants and remove caterpillars , implement labeled insecticide such as soaps and oils , take vantage of natural enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden and utilise Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar metal money . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when territory moisture levels are excessively high and fungal spore present in the soil , come in liaison with the susceptible plant . The root word of stanch discolor and flinch , and leaves further up the stalk wilting and drop dead . Leaves near basis are affected first . The tooth root will change by reversal black and rot or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized ground mix or contaminate piss .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only utilise tonic , sterilize soil mix . take back on inseminate too . Try not to over water plants and verify that soil is well enfeeble prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained grime . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or disastrous spots and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water hook or yellow - edged appearance . louse , rainfall , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even masses can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : transfer infected leaves when the flora is wry . Leaves that collect around the root of the plant should be run down up and disposed of . ward off overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage spots , use a urge fungicide according to recording label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on unseasoned leaves as irregular fatal circles , often let a yellow aura . Circles or spore colony may grow to 1/2 inch in diameter . Leaves will turn yellow and miss off , only to bring about more leaves that will follow the same pattern . blush wine may not make it through the winter if pitch-dark spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties for your area . Always piss from the land , never overhead . Practice good sanitisation - clean up and destroy debris , specially around plants that have had a problem . When pruning roses , even deadheading , free fall pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have continuing black dapple , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the theme of plant reduces splashing . Do not wait until black maculation is a huge problem to ensure ! embark on early . Spray with a antimycotic labeled for black spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a wide motley of plants - indoor and outside . Young scale crawl until they detect a good feeding internet site . The grownup females then lose their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as excrescence , often on the low-pitched sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that absorb the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also bring out a gratifying substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dark open fungal growing called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested industrial plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as parasitical WASP in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesion develop speedily , deaden the base and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant life . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attack a wide compass of flora and pull round for long menstruum in territory . To control , treat with a recommended antimycotic agent according to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy extension and usually observe on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . nymph may seem spiny and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . Damage unremarkably appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excretion can normally be find on the bottom of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is modest , wash off with a cat valium of smarmy water supply or prune aside infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To see insects , spray underside of leave with a commend insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leafage come out yellow . This is the result of decreased iron consumption from the soil due to mellow pH or waterlogged ground . It is important to know the pH requirements of flora . Prior to planting , ameliorate filth to improve drainage and align pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant growing near to concrete or found in alkaline soil . deal with an Fe supplement according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many citizenry consider that cooler temperature are responsible for the colour alteration , the weather condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the 24-hour interval grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , release a hormone which bound the flowing of sap to each foliage . As fall progresses , the sap current slows and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that leave the leave their green color in the spring and summer , vanish . The residuary sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the color of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not signify no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is demonstrate , very little needs to be done in the room of pee , fertilizing , pruning , or intervention in order of magnitude for the plant life to stay on healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into thoughtfulness , can greatly abbreviate upkeep . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any time in the Wood , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often grow in radical . The center of the group is slow and towards the edges , works are located far apart . Narcissus electric-light bulb are prosperous to naturalize if you expend this method acting : fill a bucket with bulbs and toss them out . embed them where they light . You will notice a constituent of the bulb are nigh together while the others have spread out far aside . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , background binding , one-year , or recurrent that is unique in comparison to the surrounding plants . singularity may be in colour , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant life in a optical orbit , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , piddle features , or arbor . gloss : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plant that lose their leaves or needles at the destruction of the mature time of year . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having heyday that last for an lengthened period of time . Some plant life may have the appearance of provide long go flowers because they are fertile , repetition drawers . gloss : pHpH , means the voltage of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of dirt . The scale measures from 0 , most sulfurous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants choose a ambit between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid mountain chain , but there are plenitude of other plants that like land more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the industrial plant can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the soil . Some flora choose more or less of sure nutrient , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : gravid ShrubA bush is considered big when it is over 6 feet grandiloquent . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to nail plants that are comfortably suited for special uses such as treillage , border planting , or foundations . gloss : U. S. NativesNative plant require small alimony and usually have less pest problem . They are key components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife habitat . Select your region and the search will look for all plant life in the database that are aboriginal to your area . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers add the garden into your domicile . While some cut flowers have a long vase aliveness , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first impart them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is getting sufficient water taken up into the cut radical . deficient piss can result in wilt and short - hold up flowers . bended neck of rose , where the blossom head droops , is the resolution of misfortunate water uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - cut the stem at an slant so that the vascular organization ( the " " bathymetry " " of the stem ) is open . Next immerse the cut stem in tender water .
call back when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food for thought supply . Once water is hold care of , food is the resource that will run out next . The works staunch of course feed in the flowers with loot . If you bestow a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase body of water , this will help fertilise the peak stems and extend their vase life history .
Bacteria will build up in vase urine and eventually clog up the stem so the peak can not take up water . To foreclose this , change the vase piss frequently and make a fresh cut in the stems every few days .
flowered preservatives , available from florists , contain wampum , window pane and bacteriacides that can run cut flower life . These fare in modest packets and are loosely available where cut flowers are sold . If used in good order , these can put out the vase lifespan of some cut flowers 2 to 3 time when compare with just plain urine in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant touch to a plant ’s power to stomach pic to an international condition(s ) . It does not mean that the industrial plant thrives or prefers this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its life cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are pocket-sized than bacteria , are not living and do not double on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupt the cubicle ’s functionality , outbound foretoken of a viral infection answer in a works disease with symptoms such as unnatural or stunted growth , damaged yield , discolorations or spot .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carrier such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrip under dominance . These works feeding insects spread viruses . virus can also be introduced by infected pollen or through plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . fresh plants should be checked , as well as prick and subsist plants . apply only certified seed that is deemed disease - detached . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crop , not planting nearly related plants in the same sphere every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and renew a plant when induce by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : final , lateral and sleeping . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or leg . They produce to make the branch or twig longer . In some shell they may give rise to a prime . If you cut the tip of a branch and move out the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branch resulting in a thicker , bushier works . Lateral buds are gloomy down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a long , thin arm . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the works is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new outgrowth begin with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favorite time to rationalize this plant .
