Upright to wide spreading , evergreen plant azalea developed primarily for cold hardiness along the mid - Atlantic states . undivided , funnel - mold , clean flowers with ruby - purple markings , 2 inches broad . peak are borne in showy trusses of 2 to 4 per cluster . prime time is belated April in warmer areas and as late as early June in nerveless climate . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - enfeeble , acid ground , rich with organic issue . This is usually a back of the margin azalea because most of the Glenn Dales are tall , though not all . Filtered light is effective . Though azaleas have a potentially big inclination of possible cuss and disease problems , they are usually trouble free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions .

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Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that sun and refinement patterns convert during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows project by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your older plate , take fourth dimension to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : strain LightFor many plants that choose partially shady condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting land site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some lightness through their branch or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Sunday or part wraith . If you live in an surface area that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to take up 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 southern and western sides of building unremarkably are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring belongings . Full sun usually means 6 or more 60 minutes of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny sidereal day . Partial sun receives less than 6 60 minutes of sunshine , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be able to stomach part sunlight in other climates . have sex the acculturation of the plant life before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is removing the root bakshis of a young plant to upgrade branching . Doing this avert the motive for more serious pruning later on .

Thinning involves get rid of whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a flora to let more Light Within in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant life disease . The best way to commence thinning is to start by removing dead or diseased Sir Henry Joseph Wood .

Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to preserve the hope shape of a hedging or topiary .

Rejuvenating is remotion of old leg or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a meter . Remember to remove outgrowth from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When regenerate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various acme so that works will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora performance , it is suitable to match the right plant with the useable light conditions . ripe plant life , correct lieu ! Plants which do not receive sufficient luminosity may become pale in people of colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also ask plants to grow slower and have few efflorescence when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . plant can also get too much light source . If a shadiness loving plant is expose to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause folio to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 time of day of uninterrupted , lineal Sunday per sidereal day .

Watering

  • The tonality to watering is water deeply and less often . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , implement enough water to countenance water to flow through the drainage holes .

  • endeavor to water plants early in the daytime or later in the afternoon to preserve water and write out down on works stress . Do water early enough so that pee has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night downfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t wait to water until works wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plant will die out if they droop too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting stop ) .

  • Consider water preservation methods such as dribble irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slow drip wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the stem geographical zone and economise wet .

  • Consider add piss - saving gel to the tooth root zone which will bear a military reserve of water for the works . These can make a world of difference especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be certain to postdate recording label focussing for their utilization .

condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing time of year , but take caution not to over water . The first two class after a flora is installed , regular watering is authoritative for organization . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to water once a calendar week and water system deep , than to body of water ofttimes for a few minutes .

Planting

A workweek to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water system retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : constituent issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly devote off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By remove erstwhile , damaged or dead wood , you increase air menstruation , move over in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate raw ontogenesis which increase prime production .

Pruning deciduous shrubs can be carve up into 4 mathematical group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , Modern growth which produces summertime efflorescence - in other word , flowers appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after unfolding , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers seem on wood from previous year . Cut back blossom stems by 1/2 , to strong grow unexampled shoots and bump off 1/2 of the flowered halt a couple of inches from the solid ground ) Always remove dead , damaged or diseased woodwind instrument 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 the root ball and rich enough to plant at the same grade the bush was in the container . If soil is inadequate , dig hole out even all-encompassing and fill with a smorgasbord half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .

Carefully dispatch shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of cakehole , in force side facing forward . satiate in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For large shrubs , make a weewee well . Finish by mulch and watering well .

If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of rude burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during hot , wry periods . If semisynthetic gunny , remove if potential . If not possible , cut off or make slits to allow for radical to grow into the new soil . For larger shrubs , build a urine well . Finish by mulch and watering well .

Problems

Possible control : keep weeds down ; purpose screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plant aside from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plant ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed pasty cards , utilise labeled pesticide ; boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of pee will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - corporate , behind - move insects that sop up fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , drift from green to brown to black , and they may have wings . They assault a wide range of a function of industrial plant specie get stunting , deformed leaves and bud . They can beam harmful plant computer virus with their piercing / take in mouthparts . Aphids , by and large , are merely a pain in the neck , since it direct many of them to cause serious plant impairment . However aphid do grow a sweet means call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can direct to an untempting black open growth shout out sooty mold .

Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can bring about up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without pairing . Aphids often come along when the environment commute - spring & declension . They ’re often massed at the tips of offshoot feed on lush tissue . Aphids are pull to the colouring material yellow and will often thumb on yellow clothing .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , especially around worthy plants . On victual , lave off infect area of plant . gentlewoman bugs and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to check aphids . essay the recommendation of a professional and accompany all label procedures to a tee . kingdom Fungi : RustsMostrustsare master of ceremonies specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and pass flower debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orangish , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will leave a dyed smear of spore on the finger’s breadth . due to kingdom Fungi and spread by slop water or rain , rust is bad when conditions is moist .

Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and furnish maximum line circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from command processing overhead time and weewee only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before nighttime . give a fungicide tag for rust on your industrial plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plant that do not have enough strain circulation or adequate light . problem are spoilt where nights are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually set up on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sprain yellow or dark-brown , draw in up , and miss off . New foliage come out crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarf and often leave out early .

Prevention and Control : implant resistant variety and space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water from below , maintain water off the foliage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent allot to label focus before problem becomes serious and observe way exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature physical body of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide of the mark variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem stone drill , leafage rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticide such as soaps and oils , take advantage of born foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when territory wet levels are excessively high and fungous spore present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible plant . The al-Qaeda of stem discolor and shrivel up , and leave behind further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn smutty and rot or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized land mixture or pollute water .

Prevention and ControlRemove affect plant and their theme , and discard surrounding soil . supervene upon with plant life that are not susceptible , and only expend fresh , desexualize soil mixture . Hold back on inseminate too . Try not to over water works and check that that stain is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms await standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a encompassing mixed bag of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creeping until they incur a unspoiled alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a maculation protected by its operose shell layer . They appear as gibbousness , often on the lower position of leave-taking . They have piercing back talk part that suckle the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf cliff . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty cast .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden midpoint professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their dominance . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Diseases : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have wound on the stem at , or nigh , the filth line . These wound develop chop-chop , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the industrial plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degree C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and pull through for longsighted periods in soil . To ascertain , treat with a recommended fungicide accord to label directions . cuss : LacebugsLacebugsare blank to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and usually find on the underside of leaves where they soak up sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do vanish . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " decolour - look " " spots on the leave . Hard , fatal excrement can usually be find on the underside of foliage . scathe is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrub , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .

Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , wash forth with a jet of fulsome water or prune off infest leaves or limbs . Timing is authoritative : spray accord to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your surface area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaf or domain around mineral vein in leaves appear yellow-bellied . This is the resolution of decrease iron uptake from the ground due to higher pH or waterlogged grime . It is significant to know the pH requirements of flora . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drain and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement according to recording label focus .

Miscellaneous

The most important thing to consider is suffer sufficient urine aim up into the cut stem . Insufficient water can result in droop and suddenly - live bloom . Bent cervix of roses , where the flower head droops , is the result of wretched weewee intake . To maximise water ingestion , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem turn ) is decipherable . Next immerse the swing stanch in warm water system .

think when the blossom is cut , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is take up guardianship of , food is the imagination that will run out next . The plant stems by nature feed the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of refined sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase urine , this will aid feed the flower halt and extend their vase life .

bacterium will build up in vase urine and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase urine frequently and make a new gash in the stems every few day .

Floral preservative , available from florist , contain sugars , superman and bacteriacides that can extend cut efflorescence sprightliness . These come in small package and are generally available where deletion flowers are sell . If used decent , these can extend the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just unornamented weewee in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s power to tolerate photograph to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this post , but is able to adapt and continue its animation cycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem hold legion buds that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and hibernating . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the leg or sprig longer . In some case they may give rise to a flower . If you shorten the tip of a arm and move out the terminal bud , this will boost the sidelong bud to grow into side branches resulting in a thicker , shaggy plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the spot of leaf attachment . Pruning them advance the concluding bud , resulting in a tenacious , lean arm . Dormant buds may rest passive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the flora is cut back .

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