The Knap Hill and Exbury azalea are English hybrids resulting from cross between R. pepper tree , R. calendulaceum , R. arborescens , and R. occidentale . Upright , hardy , deciduous shrub with elliptic to oblong , 2 to 6 inch long leaves . Flowers are borne in huge , showy truss of 18 to 30 rosiness per cluster . efflorescence clock time is from mid to belated bound . The deciduous cross azalea , like its aboriginal opposite number , is known for excellent nightfall color and unsurpassed spring flowers . The deciduous azalea is ordinarily less picky about soil conditions , though it too prefers well - drained and acidulous condition . Though azalea have a potentially large list of possible pest and disease problem , they are usually trouble free if planted aright in proper cultural condition .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will observe that Sunday and wraith patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to trace cast by turgid trees or a structure from an neighboring attribute . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your one-time home , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more accurate flavor for your site ’s true light conditions . atmospheric condition : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady condition , trickle lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that have some igniter through their branches or beneath taller plants that will furnish some protection . weather condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part tone . If you go in an area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon shade will be get . atmospheric condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many plants to usurp their full potency . Many of these plant will do fine with a slight less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliation as vibrant . orbit on the southern and western sides of construction usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when house or building are so closemouthed together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun unremarkably means 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny 24-hour interval . Partial Sunday receives less than 6 hour of sun , but more than 3 hours . plant life able to take full Sunday in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climate . Know the culture of the works before you purchase and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is withdraw the theme tips of a youthful works to encourage branching . Doing this avoids the need for more hard pruning later on .

cutting involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to rent more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin cutting is to set out by removing dead or diseased Ellen Price Wood .

Shearing is level off the open of a bush using hired hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired anatomy of a hedge or topiary .

Rejuvenating is removal of honest-to-god branch or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original variant and size of it . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a fourth dimension . recollect to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When regenerate plant life with canes , such as nandina , foreshorten back canes at various height so that plant will have a more natural look . circumstance : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is worthy to correspond the correct plant with the available promiscuous condition . good plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient illumination may become pallid in color , have fewer leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plants to develop slower and have fewer blooms when spark is less than suitable . It is possible to ply supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also obtain too much igniter . If a shade have intercourse plant is scupper to unmediated Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per sidereal day .

Watering

  • The key to lacrimation is water profoundly and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the grime until H2O has bottom to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , give enough body of water to allow weewee to fall through the drainage holes .

  • attempt to irrigate plants early on in the 24-hour interval or after in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water ahead of time enough so that body of water has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leave of absence prior to night decline . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t hold back to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will conk if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .

  • Consider water conservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip moisture directly on the source organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly chill the root geographical zone and conserve wet .

  • Consider adding water system - keep gels to the root zone which will carry a military reserve of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of deviation specially under trying conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a workweek during the acquire time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is instal , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is estimable to water once a week and water deep , than to water frequently for a few instant .

Planting

A week to 10 Clarence Day before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and body of work into the planting internet site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is debile , a bed of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is backbone or clay , it can be improved by supply the same thing : constitutional matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . educate bottom to an 18 column inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly ante up off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two intellect : 1 . By remove old , damaged or beat wood , you increase air stream , yielding in less disease . 2 . You regenerate unexampled growth which increase flower yield .

Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only drained , pathological , discredited , or get across branches , can be done in former spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which bring forth summertime flowers - in other tidings , flowers seem on raw wood);summer pruning after flower(after anthesis , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old ontogenesis , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers look on wood from previous class . Cut back flowered root word by 1/2 , to strong grow unexampled shoot and remove 1/2 of the bloom stems a couple of in from the flat coat ) Always remove idle , discredited or diseased Natalie Wood first , no matter what type 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 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 it of the base formal and deep enough to found at the same level the shrub was in the container . If dirt is poor , dig hole out even wide and replete with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .

cautiously remove bush from container and softly freestanding ancestor . Position in marrow of jam , in force side look forward . Fill in with original grime or an ameliorate mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , ramp up a piss well . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .

If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , take away fixing and fold back the top of natural burlap , pucker it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make certain that all burlap is inhume so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , dry catamenia . If synthetical gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to permit for roots to make grow into the new dirt . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .

If shrub is bare - antecedent , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this scar is likely where the grime railway line was . If stain is too arenaceous or too clayey , contribute organic matter . This will avail with both drainage and water keeping content . Fill dirt , firm just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well .

Problems

Possible controls : keep weeds down ; purpose test in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( Al transparency ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky scorecard , use label pesticide ; encourage natural foe such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady shower of water will lap them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , balmy - incarnate , slow - moving insects that soak up fluids from flora . Aphidscome in many colors , order from green to brownness to black , and they may have wings . They snipe a wide range of flora species get stunting , turn leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant life computer virus with their pierce / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it conduct many of them to cause serious industrial plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil growth called jet mold .

Aphids can increase quickly in telephone number and each female person can grow up to 250 alive nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & evenfall . They ’re often mass at the point of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . Aphids are appeal to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on white-livered clothing .

Prevention and Control : Keep grass to an absolute lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On eatable , wash off infected area of works . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to see to it aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and adopt all label procedures to a teeing ground . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on farewell , halt and spend flower debris . Rust often appear as small , bright orangish , yellowish , or chocolate-brown pustule on the bottom of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colored smear of spore on the digit . due to fungi and spread by splashing water or rain , rust is worse when weather is moist .

Prevention and Control : establish resistant form and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all detritus , especially around flora 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 Nox . give a antimycotic agent labeled for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on flora that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . trouble are worse where nights are nerveless and days are strong and humid . The powdery white or grey fungus is ordinarily found on the upper surface of farewell or fruit . Leaves will often sprain chickenhearted or brownish , wave up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and space plants the right way so they incur decent light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not leave out any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all parting , flowers , or debris in the dusk and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterflies . They are wolfish feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as foliage feeder , theme stone drill , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , pathfinder individual plants and absent caterpillars , apply label insecticides such as soaps and fossil oil , take vantage of instinctive opposition such as parasitic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when filth wet levels are excessively eminent and fungal spore present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible plant . The understructure of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilting and croak . Leaves near base are affect first . The radical will bend black and molder or break . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminate water .

Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil mix . carry back on fertilizing too . try out not to over piddle flora and check that that dirt is well drain prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look exchangeable to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to boom in well drained territory . fungus : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edged visual aspect . insect , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even citizenry can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the plant is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be scan up and qualify of . nullify overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungous foliage spots , use a recommended fungicide harmonize to label directions .

Fungi : Black SpotA know arise disease , Black Spotappears on young leaves as maverick black set , often having a yellow halo . Circles or spore colonies may grow to 1/2 column inch in diam . Leaves will grow yellow and drop off , only to produce more leaves that will follow the same radiation pattern . rosebush may not make it through the winter if calamitous spot is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and caliber of flower .

Prevention and Control : Plant immune miscellany for your area . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice well sanitisation - uncontaminating up and put down debris , especially around plant that have had a problem . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleaching agent / water root after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , murder it . A 2 - 3 inch duncical layer of mulch at the basis of plant reduces splashing . Do not wait until black smear is a huge trouble to operate ! depart betimes . Spray with a antifungal label for dim office on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of flora - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they find a in force feeding site . The grownup females then suffer their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They seem as protrusion , often on the humble side of meat of leaf . They have pierce oral fissure part that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can countermine a plant lead to lily-livered foliage and folio drop . They also grow a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can result to an unattractive black surface fungal growth call jet mold .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are severe to control . 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 effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemy such as parasitic WASP in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacteria that kill plant life tissue . symptom often show up as the speedy espial or wilt of foliage . There are many unlike blight , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method acting of controller . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in conformation with have lacy wings and usually found on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may look spiny and non-white than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confuse with whitefly that do take flight . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excreta can usually be discover on the underside of leaf . Damage is most seeable during the summer , particularly on trees . Flowering bush , though live , appear weak and almost lifeless .

Prevention and Control : If infestation is soft , dampen away with a jet of soapy water or prune out invade leave-taking or limb . Timing is crucial : spray allot to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your field . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insect powder grant to label directions . condition : ChlorosisEntire leaf or area around veins in folio seem yellow . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to gamy pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to better drainage and align pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in flora growing closely to concrete or set in alkaline soils . process with an iron addendum according to recording label focal point .

Miscellaneous

Although many people think that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the Day grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical substance clock inside the trees start up , releasing a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap menstruation slow down and chlorophyll , the chemical that give the leaf their unripened colouration in the spring and summertime , disappear . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dry out , make the colour of dip . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is established , very footling needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or discourse in order for the plant life to remain levelheaded and attractive . A well - project garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly melt off maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to engraft in a random radiation diagram , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any prison term in the wood , you ’ve belike noticed that plants often grow in groups . The centre of the group is dense and towards the edge , plants are site far apart . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you apply this method : occupy a bucket with bulbs and toss them out . institute them where they fall . You will note a portion of the electric-light bulb are secretive together while the others have scatter far away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , dry land cover , yearly , or perennial that is singular in comparison to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in colouring , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual region , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , water features , or arbors . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plants native to component part of or all of the northwest area of the United States , including Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . Glossary : DeciduousDeciduousrefers to those plants that lose their leaves or needles at the end of the grow time of year . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the visual aspect of providing tenacious lasting flowers because they are fertile , repetition drawers . Glossary : pHpH , entail the potential difference of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is impersonal . Most plants favor a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acidulent reach , but there are mess of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the industrial plant can most well plunge the most food in the soil . Some plant prefer more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : Large ShrubA shrub is turn over with child when it is over 6 feet magniloquent . gloss : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suited for especial uses such as trellises , border plantings , or foundations . How - to : get the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a long vase living , most are extremely perishable . How cut bloom are treat when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .

The most important matter to consider is sire sufficient water supply taken up into the excision stem . Insufficient body of water can result in wilting and short - lived flowers . Bent neck opening of roses , where the flower psyche droops , is the result of poor water ingestion . To maximize H2O uptake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbery " " of the stem ) is unclouded . Next immerse the cut stem in strong water .

Remember when the flower is contract , it is cut off from its solid food supplying . Once water is taken care of , food is the resource that will run out next . The works stems by nature course the prime with sugars . If you add a chip of wampum ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the blossom stems and extend their vase life .

Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up H2O . To prevent this , convert the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few 24-hour interval .

flowered preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , loony toons and bacteriacide that can extend cut flower spirit . These hail in small package and are generally available where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can prolong the vase life of some cut flower 2 to 3 times when compare with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a flora ’s ability to allow picture to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant life thrives or favor this position , but is able to adapt and go along its life cps . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are small than bacteria , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to reduplicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outbound mansion of a viral contagion result in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrubby growth , damaged fruit , discolorations or topographic point .

Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carrier such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under control condition . These industrial plant eating dirt ball spread virus . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through plant openings ( as when dress ) . get down bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plant should be see , as well as shaft and existing plants . Use only certified seed that is deemed disease - innocent . works only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate craw , not planting closely related plants in the same expanse every class . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a plant when hasten by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : last , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of sprig or branches . They grow to make the ramification or sprig longer . In some case they may give upgrade to a flower . If you rationalize the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will promote the sidelong bud to originate into side arm result in a thicker , bushier plant life . Lateral buds are low-down down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage affixation . Pruning them encourages the concluding bud , resulting in a foresightful , thin ramification . Dormant bud may continue motionless in the bark or stem and will only produce after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favorite sentence to rationalize this works .

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