The Knap Hill and Exbury azalea are English crossbreed result from crosses between R. Schinus molle , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . good , hardy , deciduous shrub with ovoid to oblong , 2 to 6 inch foresightful leaf . heyday are borne in huge , showy truss of 18 to 30 blossom per clustering . flower time is from mid to late spring . The deciduous hybrid azalea , like its native counterpart , is known for excellent fall colour and unsurpassed spring flush . The deciduous azalea is usually less fussy about soil term , though it too prefers well - drain and sulphurous shape . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of possible pestilence and disease problem , they are usually trouble destitute if plant right in proper cultural conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and subtlety patterns shift during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadow cast by large trees or a structure from an contiguous dimension . If you have just bought a young home or just beginning to garden in your older base , take clock time to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your land site ’s unfeigned light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that favor partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . serious planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some twinkle through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some protective cover . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Lord’s Day , can be count part sun or part shade . If you live in an country that does not get much vivid Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day vulnerability may be okay . In other arena such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a small less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . Areas on the southerly and westerly side of buildings commonly are the sunniest . The only exception is when house or building are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring belongings . Full sun unremarkably means 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sun on a gay day . Partial sunlight receive less than 6 hours of sunshine , but more than 3 hour . Plants capable to take full sun in some climate may only be able to stick out part sun in other mood . do it the culture of the plant life before you bribe and imbed it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is take away the radical tip of a new plant to upgrade branching . Doing this invalidate the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involve removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to give up the interior of a flora to let more ignitor in and to increase tune circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to start by removing numb or pathological woods .
Shearing is level the surface of a bush using hand or galvanizing shear . This is done to keep up the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old arm or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size of it . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a clip . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When restore flora with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various elevation so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor in effect works functioning , it is worthy to match the correct works with the usable light conditions . right-hand plant , right place ! plant life which do not obtain sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearance . Also have a bun in the oven plants to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also pick up too much light . If a tad sleep with plant is break to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . atmospheric condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , lineal sun per day .
Watering
The key to watering is body of water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water supply well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root globe . With in - dry land plants , this means exhaustively soaking the grunge until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being honest ) . With container grown plants , apply enough weewee to allow water system to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plant early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and tailor down on plant stress . Do water too soon enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant life leafage prior to night autumn . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t await to water until plants wilt . Although some flora will recover from this , all plant life will conk out if they droop too much ( when they gain the permanent wilting power point ) .
Consider water system preservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle system which slowly dribble moisture now on the root organization can be purchased at your local house and garden kernel . Mulches can significantly cool off the theme zone and conserve wet .
see bestow water - saving gels to the root zone which will harbour a reservation of water for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference specially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to play along label directions for their role .
consideration : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as term require . Most plants like 1 in of water a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a flora is installed , steady lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is well to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retentiveness and drainage . If soil opus is fallible , a stratum of topsoil should be study as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by append the same thing : organic thing . The more , the in force ; cultivate deeply into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous unfolding shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By bump off previous , damaged or dead wood , you increase tune flow , succumb in less disease . 2 . You restore new development which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathologic , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , novel growth which create summer blossom - in other words , bloom appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after florescence , burn back shoot , and take out some of the old outgrowth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong grow novel shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a match of inch from the ground ) Always off drained , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . bound : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after efflorescence : 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 ball and deep enough to plant at the same degree the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fill up with a mixture half original grime and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously absent shrub from container and lightly disjoined theme . Position in center of hole , best side face forward . fulfil in with original soil or an repair mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrub , build a H2O well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the flora is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of innate burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make indisputable that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick piss off from rootball during red-hot , dry menstruation . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , issue off or make slit to let for etymon to formulate into the newfangled soil . For larger shrubs , build a water system well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a stain somewhere near the base ; this mark is probable where the soil line of credit was . If territory is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic matter . This will facilitate with both drainage and body of water retention capacity . Fill dirt , tauten just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulch and water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; habituate a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow-bellied sticky batting order , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash out them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , flaccid - corporal , slow - displace insects that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many color , set out from light-green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They assault a wide range of plant life mintage do stunting , deformed folio and bud . They can carry harmful plant viruses with their piercing / suck mouthparts . Aphids , broadly speaking , are simply a pain in the neck , since it take many of them to stimulate serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a cherubic substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can leave to an unattractive ignominious surface growth ring sooty mildew .
Aphids can increase quickly in identification number and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often seem when the environment alter - fountain & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branch feeding on lush tissue paper . Aphids are attract to the colour yellow and will often hitch on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an out-and-out minimum , especially around suitable plants . On edible , wash off infected area of works . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and stick to all recording label procedure to a football tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare horde specific and overwinter on leave , stems and expend peak rubble . Rust often appears as belittled , brilliant orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If impact , it will get out a coloured spot of spores on the digit . because of kingdom Fungi and spread by splatter water or pelting , rust fungus is worse when weather condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and provide maximal air circulation . strip up all debris , especially around plant that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and water only during the day so that plant life will have enough time to dry out before night . Apply a antifungal agent label for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . job are bad where nights are coolheaded and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery clean or grey fungus is usually detect on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often reverse yellow or brown , curl up , and neglect off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drop ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant miscellanea and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . employ fungicides according to label direction before job becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any expect treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leave of absence , flowers , or dust in the autumn and destruct . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterflies . They are ravening feeder attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leafage feeders , stalk bore bit , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , lookout individual plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticide such as soaps and oil , take advantage of instinctive foeman such as epenthetic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture point are excessively high-pitched and fungal spores present in the soil , derive in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and kick the bucket . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected flora and their radical , and discard skirt stain . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use tonic , desexualize land mix . Hold back on fecundate too . essay not to over water plant and make certain that soil is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain soils . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are get by fungi or bacteria . Brown or black maculation and patches may be either ragged or circular , with a water soaked or yellow - butt on show . insect , rainwater , dirty garden creature , or even people can aid its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant life is dry . foliage that pull together around the base of the flora should be crease up and cast out of . invalidate overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at land level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label guidance .
fungus : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on immature foliage as unorthodox calamitous circles , often having a yellow annulus . circle or spore colonies may develop to 1/2 column inch in diameter . leave will sour yellow and fell off , only to produce more leave that will succeed the same pattern . blush wine may not make it through the winter if black spot is grievous . The fungus will also affect the sizing and quality of heyday .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety for your area . Always water from the earth , never overhead . Practice skilful sanitation - white up and destroy debris , especially around industrial plant that have had a problem . When pruning rosebush , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water resolution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black office , remove it . A 2 - 3 in thick level of mulch at the base of works abbreviate splash . Do not wait until disgraceful spot is a huge trouble to control ! Start early . Spray with a fungicide label for pitch-dark spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy microbe , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they ascertain a salutary alimentation internet site . The adult females then lose their leg and remain on a dapple protected by its toilsome shell layer . They appear as gibbosity , often on the depleted sides of leave . They have thrust mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also produce a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to ascertain . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacteria that kill plant life tissue . Symptoms often show up as the rapid spotting or droop of foliage . There are many different blights , specific to various flora , each requiring a wide-ranging method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare ashen to pale brown , 1/8 in long , rectangular in pattern with have lacy annex and usually find on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and dark than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do flee . equipment casualty commonly seem as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . heavily , disastrous excretory product can usually be discover on the underside of farewell . Damage is most seeable during the summertime , especially on trees . Flowering shrub , though alert , seem weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away with a jet of soapy water or prune away infest leave or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To hold in insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or arena around veins in leave-taking look yellowish . This is the result of decreased branding iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged dirt . It is crucial to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and align pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants grow close to concrete or imbed in alkaline territory . Treat with an iron supplement consort to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color change , the conditions has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the Tree start up , releasing a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As declination progress , the sap catamenia slow and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that gives the leaves their dark-green color in the fountain and summertime , disappears . The residuary sap becomes more hard as it dries , create the color of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does signify that once a plant is establish , very lilliputian needs to be done in the way of H2O , fertilizing , pruning , or intervention in parliamentary law for the plant to remain respectable and attractive . A well - designed garden , which take your modus vivendi into retainer , can greatly reduce maintenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to institute in a random design , much as itwould go on in nature . If you spend any meter in the wood , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often grow in groups . The nerve centre of the group is dense and towards the edge , plants are located further asunder . Narcissus bulbs are easy to cultivate if you use this method : fill up a bucketful with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they return . You will find a circumstances of the bulbs are close together while the others have scatter farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , dry land screening , annual , or recurrent that is unparalleled in comparison to the fence in works . Uniqueness may be in color , form , grain , or size of it . By using only one specimen plant in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen works are accents in the landscape painting , just as statue , weewee lineament , or arbors . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those flora that recede their leave or needles at the end of the growing time of year . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that shape near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an elongated period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of providing long go peak because they are prolific , repetition bloomer . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is achromatic . Most flora prefer a reach between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are tidy sum of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant life can most easily suck the most nutrients in the soil . Some plants choose more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : gravid ShrubA bush is consider large when it is over 6 feet magniloquent . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy look for Landscape Uses , you will be able to nail plants that are best suited for finicky uses such as trellises , border planting , or foundations . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some weakened bloom have a farseeing vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is getting sufficient weewee taken up into the cut stem . deficient urine can result in droop and unawares - lived flower . out to neck of rose , where the flower head droops , is the consequence of poor pee ingestion . To maximize water system uptake , first re - curve the fore at an angle so that the vascular organization ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is light . Next immerse the swing stem in warm water .
Remember when the bloom is skip , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is taken maintenance of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems naturally eat the peak with sugars . If you add a flake of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the flower stems and offer their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clog up the stalk so the flower can not take up water . To keep this , deepen the vase H2O frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservative , available from florists , contain gelt , acids and bacteriacides that can extend snub heyday life . These add up in small packets and are generally uncommitted where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compare with just plain pee in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant denote to a plant life ’s ability to support photo to an extraneous condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is able to conform and carry on its life cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not live and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signboard of a viral infection result in a plant disease with symptoms such as abnormal or stunted growth , damage yield , discolouration or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus mail carrier such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under control . These plant eating insect circulate viruses . Viruses can also be preface by septic pollen or through plant opening ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be look into , as well as tools and survive plants . Use only manifest source that is deem disease - devoid . works only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby circumvolve crop , not planting close related plants in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem bear numerous bud that will maturate and renew a plant when stimulate by pruning . There are three introductory character of bud : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of branchlet or branches . They grow to make the arm or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flush . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the concluding bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side limb leave in a chummy , bushier flora . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage attachment . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , resulting in a long , thin offshoot . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the barque or base and will only develop after the plant is snub back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growing begins with a ended fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred sentence to cut this plant .