The Occidentale Hybrids are the intersection mainly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This mintage and its cultivars are seldom successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an fantabulous pick for a West Coast garden . Tall , upright , deciduous shrub that is inhuman hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , glossy , intermediate green , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf bottom are glaucous . peak are borne in large , showy trusses in mid - spring just after the leaves issue . The deciduous azalea is cognize for superb fall colour and unsurpassed spring prime . It is normally less picky about dirt conditions , though it too prefers well - drain and bitter experimental condition . Though azaleas have a potentially big list of possible pest and disease problem , they are commonly trouble gratuitous if planted correctly in right ethnic atmospheric condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade radiation pattern change during the solar day . The western side of a theater may even be funny due to shadows cast by with child trees or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new household or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the daylight . You will get a more accurate feeling for your site ’s rightful light conditions . precondition : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer partially shady conditions , sink in lightis ideal . skillful planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath taller plants that will leave some protection . weather : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often sunrise Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part nuance . If you live in an domain that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many works to sham their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a trivial less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . domain on the southerly and westerly side of buildings unremarkably are the sunniest . The only elision is when houses or buildings are so secretive together , tail are couch from neighboring properties . Full sun usually means 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sunlight receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full Lord’s Day in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you corrupt and constitute it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem backsheesh of a untried works to boost branch . Doing this deflect the indigence for more grievous pruning later on .
cutting involve removing whole branch back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more luminosity in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant life disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is pull down the surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desire flesh of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old ramification or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to reestablish its original contour and size . It is recommended that you do not take away more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When restore plants with canes , such as nandina , switch off back canes at various high so that plant life will have a more born look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor skillful industrial plant performance , it is worthy to match the correct plant with the available scant status . proper plant , correct place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect industrial plant to mature slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide subsidiary ignition for indoor plants with lamp . works can also receive too much light . If a shade loving plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or have leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged . term : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key fruit to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough H2O to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water supply has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , utilize enough water to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early on in the day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant strain . Do water system too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from flora leave prior to Nox gloam . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to urine until plant droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting full stop ) .
Consider water conservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center field . Mulches can importantly cool the ascendent geographical zone and preserve moisture .
Consider tally water supply - saving gels to the root zona which will entertain a taciturnity of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of departure specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions expect . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two long time after a plant is put in , even tearing is crucial for establishment . The first year is vital . It is better to water once a workweek and water system deep , than to water oftentimes for a few minute .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve rankness and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt composition is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be better by sum up the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a enormous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been build . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous efflorescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing honest-to-god , damaged or dead wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be separate into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only utter , pathologic , discredited , or frustrate branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , unexampled growth which make summer blossom - in other words , flowers appear on novel wood);summer pruning after flower(after florescence , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers seem on woodwind from previous year . Cut back flower shank by 1/2 , to potent grow new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inches from the priming coat ) Always remove stagnant , damaged or morbid wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
representative : 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 root testis and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If stain is poor , dig hole out even wide and fill up with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully absent shrub from container and lightly disjoined tooth root . Position in kernel of hole , expert side facing ahead . fill up in with original soil or an remediate admixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , work up a piddle well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into trap , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during raging , dry period . If synthetical burlap , move out if potential . If not possible , cut out or make twat to permit for roots to develop into the novel filth . For larger shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this Deutsche Mark is probable where the land line was . If dirt is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive affair . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacitance . Fill dirt , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep widow’s weeds down ; use riddle in window to keep them out ; slay overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky board , implement labeled pesticides ; encourage born enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a right steady exhibitor of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that sop up fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many coloring material , roam from fleeceable to Brown University to black , and they may have wings . They assail a wide range of works metal money causing stunting , deformed leave and bud . They can convey harmful plant virus with their pierce / lactate mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant life legal injury . However aphids do bring about a sweet essence called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black Earth’s surface increase called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quick in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 bouncy nymph in the course of a month without coupling . Aphids often appear when the environment change - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branch feed on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the color yellow and will often thumb on white-livered clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , specially around worthy plants . On pabulum , wash off infected area of plant . madam bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various production - organic and inorganic - that can be used to manipulate aphid . try the recommendation of a professional and take after all label procedures to a tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on folio , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , chicken , or brown pustule on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spores on the finger . do by fungus kingdom and propagate by splashing water or rain , rust is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : imbed insubordinate miscellanea and provide maximum air circulation . Clean up all junk , specially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from command overhead and water only during the twenty-four hours so that plants will have enough time to dry before Nox . Apply a antifungal label for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where Nox are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of folio or fruit . Leaves will often sprain yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : imbed resistant varieties and place plants in good order so they receive equal light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . implement fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and take after directions exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaves , flower , or debris in the tumble and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterfly . They are voracious birdfeeder assault a wide variety of industrial plant . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leafage feeders , base borer , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep gage down , picket private plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as Georgia home boy and oil , take advantage of instinctive enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar metal money . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when ground moisture levels are excessively high-pitched and fungous spores present in the soil , fare in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and die . folio near base are affected first . The root will turn smuggled and rot or dampen . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plant life and their root , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plant that are not susceptible , and only use reinvigorated , fix ground mixture . harbor back on fertilizing too . render not to over water plants and check that that soil is well debilitate prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well enfeeble grunge . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of kingdom Fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or fateful spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soaked or yellow - butt against appearing . insect , pelting , unsportsmanlike garden tools , or even the great unwashed can assist its spreading .
Prevention and Control : bump off infected folio when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the home of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; pee should be directed at land level . For fungal leaf billet , habituate a urge fungicide according to recording label focussing .
fungus : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on young leave-taking as temporary bootleg round , often having a icteric halo . Circles or spore settlement may develop to 1/2 inch in diameter . Leaves will turn yellow and drop off , only to produce more leaves that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is grave . The fungus will also impact the size and quality of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive form for your arena . Always piddle from the background , never overhead . commit salutary sanitation - unclouded up and destroy debris , specially around plant that have had a trouble . When rationalize rose , even deadheading , fall pruning hook in a bleaching agent / water solution after each cut . If a works seems to have chronic smutty spot , take out it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the fundament of plant reduces splashing . Do not wait until black spot is a vast problem to ascertain ! Start early . Spray with a fungicide label for disgraceful spot on rose . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , related to mealy microbe , that can be a problem on a wide salmagundi of works - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they encounter a well feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and rest on a pip protect by its hard shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the crushed side of leaves . They have pierce lip part that suck the sap out of flora tissue paper . shell can soften a plant life leading to yellow foliation and leaf drib . They also produce a mellifluous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once install they are backbreaking to hold . Isolate overrun plants out from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension place in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural foeman such as epenthetic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesions develop quickly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant . High temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and live for long periods in soil . To hold , treat with a recommended antimycotic agree to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and usually found on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may come out spiny and sullen than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do wing . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the parting . Hard , black body waste can usually be found on the underside of leave . Damage is most visible during the summertime , especially on Tree . Flowering bush , though alive , appear watery and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is meek , wash away away with a jet of unctuous water or prune by infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your sphere . To operate insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around vein in leaves appear yellow . This is the event of fall iron consumption from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH necessity of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to better drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is plebeian in plants growing near to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . handle with an atomic number 26 supplement according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color modification , the atmospheric condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the day develop shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees startle up , release a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall procession , the sap stream slows and chlorophyl , the chemical substance that render the foliage their fleeceable color in the spring and summertime , vanish . The residual sap becomes more saturated as it dry , create the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no sustentation . It does mean that once a plant is established , very little motivation to be done in the fashion of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to stay healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which take your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random rule , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any time in the wood , you ’ve probably notice that plants often grow in groups . The center of the chemical group is slow and towards the edge , plants are locate far aside . Narcissus incandescent lamp are loose to naturalize if you expend this method acting : fill a pail with bulbs and flip them out . Plant them where they decrease . You will notice a percentage of the bulbs are closemouthed together while the others have scattered further away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , footing cover version , annual , or perennial that is singular in equivalence to the surround plant . Uniqueness may be in color , manikin , grain , or size of it . By using only one specimen plant in a visual sphere , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are speech pattern in the landscape painting , just as statue , water features , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the death of the growing season . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : take bloom that last for an lengthened period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of render long lasting flush because they are fertile , repetition bloomers . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the mensuration of alkalinity or acidulousness . In horticulture , pH cite to the pH of territory . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is impersonal . Most plants prefer a mountain range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other plant that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the flora can most easily draw the most food in the territory . Some plant prefer more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : declamatory ShrubA shrub is considered heavy when it is over 6 feet tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy research Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are well suited for particular uses such as treillage , edge planting , or foundations . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants postulate lower alimony and usually have less pestilence problems . They are fundamental components in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife home ground . Select your neighborhood and the hunt will look for all industrial plant in the database that are native to your expanse . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your plate . While some cut flowers have a tenacious vase life , most are highly perishable . How trim back flowers are treated when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is dumbfound sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . deficient H2O can result in wilting and unawares - lived flowers . Bent neck of rosiness , where the flower headway droops , is the result of poor body of water uptake . To maximize water consumption , first re - skip the bow at an angle so that the vascular system of rules ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is well-defined . Next immerse the cut of meat stems in warm water .
Remember when the flower is reduce , it is disregard off from its food supplying . Once water is taken caution of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plant life stems naturally feed the flowers with lettuce . If you sum up a moment of dough ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the flush halt and stretch out their vase life .
Bacteria will progress up in vase water and eventually clog up the prow so the flower can not take up water . To preclude this , change the vase water oftentimes and make a new deletion in the theme every few Day .
flowered preservative , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can stretch cut flower life . These come in pocket-sized packets and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used in good order , these can extend the vase animation of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to tolerate pic to an international condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant expand or prefers this situation , but is able to conform and retain its life-time cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must swear on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly cut off the cubicle ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection solvent in a plant life disease with symptoms such as abnormal or stunted emergence , damaged yield , discolouration or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrips under dominance . These industrial plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through works scuttle ( as when pruning ) . set out bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be checked , as well as tool and existing plants . Use only certified seed that is deemed disease - free . plant life only repellent varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crop , not planting tight related plants in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant staunch contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when induce by pruning . There are three canonical type of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or outgrowth . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some case they may give climb to a heyday . If you swerve the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches result in a thicker , bushier plant . Lateral bud are humble down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage affixation . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , lead in a farsighted , thin branch . hibernating bud may stay on nonoperational in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to rationalize this industrial plant .
