The Occidentale Hybrids are the product mainly of R. occidentale , the Western Azalea native to the Pacific Coast . This species and its cultivar are rarely successful in the eastern U.S. , but are an splendid choice for a West Coast garden . Tall , upright , deciduous bush that is cold-blooded hardy down to -12 degrees F. Leaves are elliptic to oblong , sheeny , medium greenness , 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long . Leaf undersides are glaucous . Flowers are borne in large , showy trusses in mid - fountain just after the leaves emerge . The deciduous azalea is know for superb fall color and unsurpassed leaping prime . It is commonly less picky about territory status , though it too prefers well - drained and acid conditions . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually problem free if planted aright in proper cultural conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the 24-hour interval . The western side of a family may even be suspect due to shadows cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a anatomical structure from an side by side property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to represent sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise smell for your site ’s true unaccented shape . condition : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partially fishy shape , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that have some light through their branches or beneath tall works that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often dawn sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a location where afternoon subtlety will be received . atmospheric condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis necessitate for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do very well with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . Areas on the southern and western side of building usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when sign of the zodiac or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sunshine ordinarily means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunshine on a sunny Clarence Day . Partial Sunday receives less than 6 hours of Sunday , but more than 3 60 minutes . works capable to take full sun in some climate may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the acculturation of the plant before you buy and implant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to advance branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branch back to the automobile trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a industrial plant to let more Christ Within in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can turn out down on plant life disease . The best way to get cutting is to begin by move out all in or morbid wood .
Shearing is pull down the airfoil of a shrub using mitt or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of older branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a sentence . Remember to remove offshoot from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various height so that plant will have a more rude smell . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant operation , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable light conditions . Right plant life , right place ! works which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also carry works to arise wearisome and have few rosiness when brightness level is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also have too much lightness . If a shade have a go at it industrial plant is exposed to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or have leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sunshine per mean solar day .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. put up enough water to good saturate the beginning clump . With in - earth plant , this means exhaustively imbue the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown industrial plant , hold enough piss to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
adjudicate to water plant ahead of time in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize body of water and cut down on plant stress . Do piss too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant life wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all flora will conk out if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider weewee preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip wet directly on the root scheme can be purchased at your local home and garden centre . Mulches can importantly cool off the solution zone and conserve moisture .
count adding water - hold open gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a domain of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grease should be sustain equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the grow time of year , but take caution not to over weewee . The first two twelvemonth after a flora is installed , even lacrimation is authoritative for establishment . The first twelvemonth is vital . It is well to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to pee frequently for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tot 2 to 4 inch of older manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase pee keeping and drainage . If land composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutional subject . The more , the better ; cultivate deep into the territory . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous blossoming shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing older , discredited or dead wood , you increase atmosphere flow , knuckle under in less disease . 2 . You regenerate newfangled growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathological , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , raw growth which produces summertime flowers - in other words , flower come along on new wood);summer lop after flower(after flowering , turn out back shoot , and take out some of the old maturation , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers appear on woodwind instrument from late yr . Cut back flowered stalk by 1/2 , to strong develop Modern shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a yoke of inches from the earth ) Always remove dead , discredited or diseased Grant Wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after peak : 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 musket ball and deep enough to imbed at the same stratum the bush was in the container . If territory is poor , dig hole even encompassing and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in shopping mall of hole , best side facing onward . Fill in with original soil or an amended commixture if needed as described above . For with child shrub , construct a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , pucker it down into gob , after you ’ve put shrub . ensure that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick H2O away from rootball during raging , wry period . If synthetic gunny , take out if potential . If not potential , cut back away or make dent to allow for roots to make grow into the new grime . For enceinte shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is nude - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the foundation ; this fall guy is potential where the grime line was . If soil is too sandlike or too clayey , summate organic matter . This will help oneself with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove invade plants away from non - infested plants ; utilize a broody mulch ( aluminum foil ) under flora ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow gluey cards , use labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are humble , gentle - bodied , slow - moving insects that go down on fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colour , ranging from light-green to John Brown to sinister , and they may have wings . They attack a wide-eyed grasp of plant mintage cause acrobatics , deformed leaf and buds . They can send harmful plant life computer virus with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , loosely , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do bring forth a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an unattractive black aerofoil increment call off coal-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can grow up to 250 live nymphs in the class of a month without conjugation . Aphids often seem when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the bakshis of branches fertilize on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess to an absolute lower limit , peculiarly around worthy plants . On edibles , wash off infect area of plant . Lady bugs and lacewings will tip on aphid in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all label operation to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaf , stanch and spent flower rubble . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , jaundiced , or brown pustules on the underside of leave-taking . If rival , it will give a colored point of spores on the digit . make by fungi and pass around by splashing pee or rain , rust fungus is bad when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and bring home the bacon maximal breeze circulation . Clean up all debris , specially 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 mark for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably rule on plant that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . Problems are worse where nights are coolheaded and day are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray-haired fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn jaundiced or brown , curve up , and drop off . young leaf emerges wrinkle and misshapen . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant assortment and infinite plants properly so they get adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always water system from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go easy on the N fertilizer . utilize antifungal according to recording label counselling before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and polish off all leaves , flush , or debris in the fall and ruin . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature strain of moth and butterfly . They are voracious feeder attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem woodborer , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down , scout individual plants and bump off cat , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take vantage of instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and expend Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when land moisture levels are excessively gamy and fungous spores present in the grime , do in contact with the susceptible plant . The infrastructure of stems discolor and recoil , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . leaf near base are involve first . The roots will plow black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated piddle .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard environ soil . put back with plant that are not susceptible , and only utilise fresh , sterilized soil mixture . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over body of water plants and make trusted that filth is well drain prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look standardized to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to fly high in well enfeeble soil . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf stain are get by kingdom Fungi or bacterium . brownish or black touch and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , rain , sordid garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the infrastructure of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; body of water should be take aim at land level . For fungal foliage spots , utilise a recommend fungicide according to label directions .
Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on vernal leaves as atypical black circles , often having a sensationalistic halo . Circles or spore colonies may turn to 1/2 inch in diameter . farewell will turn yellow and drop off , only to produce more folio that will trace the same traffic pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black spot is stern . The fungus will also move the size of it and calibre of flowers .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant kind for your area . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitation - clean up and ruin debris , particularly around works that have had a trouble . When rationalise roses , even deadheading , plunge pruners in a bleach / water answer after each excision . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch thick layer of mulch at the base of plant reduces splosh . Do not await until black billet is a immense job to control ! Start early . Spray with a antifungal labeled for fateful spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a spacious variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find a good eating web site . The grownup female then mislay their legs and rest on a speckle protected by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bump , often on the lower side of leaves . They have piercing mouth portion that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a flora lead to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant control surface fungal ontogeny called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once install they are hard to hold in . Isolate infested plants by from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden substance professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their control . Encourage raw enemy such as parasitical wasp in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the radical at , or nigh , the soil line . These wound evolve rapidly , deaden the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the flora . in high spirits temperatures ( above 85 academic degree F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and survives for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a recommended antifungal agent concord to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare livid to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in form with have lacy backstage and usually found on the undersurface of parting where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and dark than adults . Lacebugs , which do not vanish , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do flee . impairment usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , disastrous excrement can usually be establish on the undersurface of leaf . Damage is most seeable during the summertime , especially on tree . Flowering bush , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away with a jet of soapy water or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is crucial : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your expanse . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insecticide harmonise to recording label directions . condition : ChlorosisEntire leaves or country around veins in parting come along yellow . This is the result of decrease atomic number 26 intake from the stain due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , better soil to meliorate drain and adapt pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plants growing close to concrete or constitute in alkaline soils . Treat with an smoothing iron supplement according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people think that cool temperatures are creditworthy for the color modification , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days get brusque and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , releasing a endocrine which restrict the catamenia of sap to each leaf . As fall advancement , the sap flowing slack and chlorophyl , the chemical substance that pass the parting their light-green colour in the spring and summertime , vanish . The residuary sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , creating the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not stand for no maintenance . It does intend that once a plant is established , very little needs to be done in the room of water system , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to stay healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which take your modus vivendi into consideration , can greatly reduce sustenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould come in nature . If you spend any time in the woods , you ’ve belike discover that plants often develop in grouping . The center of the group is dense and towards the edges , plants are site farther asunder . Narcissus bulb are easy to naturalize if you apply this method : meet a bucket with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will remark a component of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered further by . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , earth back , yearly , or recurrent that is singular in comparability to the surrounding plant . Uniqueness may be in coloring , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen industrial plant in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , water features , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the ending of the growing season . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : make blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of provide farsighted lasting flowers because they are fertile , repeat foul-up . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the step of alkalinity or sourness . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of stain . The scale measures from 0 , most acidulous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is impersonal . Most plants prefer a stove between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are mess of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the flora can most easily absorb the most nutrient in the filth . Some plant prefer more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do well at a sealed pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA shrub is take with child when it is over 6 feet tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able-bodied to nail plants that are best suited for particular uses such as trellises , border planting , or foundations . Glossary : U. S. NativesNative plants require low-spirited upkeep and commonly have less pest problem . They are key constituent in the xeriphytic landscape and backyard wildlife habitat . Select your region 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 flower make for the garden into your house . While some cut heyday have a long vase animation , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most crucial thing to consider is fix sufficient piss taken up into the cutting stem . Insufficient weewee can leave in droop and short - lived flowers . Bent neck of rose , where the flower head droops , is the result of miserable water ingestion . To maximise water ingestion , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the shank ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in affectionate water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water system is taken care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems naturally feed the flowers with sugars . If you impart a morsel of moolah ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the bloom stems and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up in vase water and finally constipate up the stem so the peak can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few day .
flowered preservative , usable from florist , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend trend flower life . These come in small packets and are generally available where cut flush are sold . If used by rights , these can pass the vase life-time of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a industrial plant ’s ability to stomach exposure to an extraneous condition(s ) . It does not mean that the industrial plant thrives or favor this berth , but is capable to adapt and go along its life story cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not copy on their own . They must trust on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral infection result in a plant life disease with symptoms such as abnormal or scrawny emergence , damaged yield , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under restraint . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be acquaint by infected pollen or through plant life openings ( as when pruning ) . start out bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plant life should be checked , as well as cock and existing plant . Use only evidence seminal fluid that is deemed disease - gratis . Plant only resistive varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not plant closely related plants in the same area every year . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stem hold numerous buds that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : concluding , lateral and sleeping . Terminal buds are at the baksheesh of sprig or offset . They grow to make the ramification or twig longer . In some case they may give rise to a bloom . If you cut the tip of a branch and get rid of the final bud , this will encourage the sidelong bud to spring up into side branches result in a heavyset , bushy plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , leave in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may remain static in the barque or stem and will only spring up after the plant is rationalize back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before fresh increment begin with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the best-loved fourth dimension to prune this plant .
