Dense , twiglike , dwarf , semi - evergreen shrub that is aboriginal to the mountaintops of Kyushu Island , Japan . R. kiusianum has also been eff as R. indicum amoenum and R. obtusum f. japonicum . Hardy to 0 degrees F. Leaves are small , obovate , dark putting surface , 1/4 to 3/4 inch long . Flowers are small , held in trusses of 2 to 3 per bunch , and borne from mid to late spring . well adapted to full sun . Beautiful planted in containers , rock garden and in drift at the front of a bush border . Prune immediately after bloom so you wo n’t cut off any of next year ’s bloom buds . safe if not sheared . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : eminent and in well - drained , acidic filth , rich with organic topic . Though azaleas have a potentially bombastic list of possible pest and disease problem , they are normally trouble spare if planted right in proper ethnic conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and refinement patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows throw by large trees or a structure from an side by side property . If you have just corrupt a new home or just beginning to garden in your previous home , take time to map Dominicus and shade throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . You will get a more accurate feeling for your land site ’s true sluttish condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially louche experimental condition , filtered lightis paragon . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath tall plants that will provide some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is strain . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as hard as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shadowiness . If you live in an expanse that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where afternoon shade will be received . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential difference . Many of these plant life will do delicately with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when theatre or building are so near together , shadows are swan from neighboring properties . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunshine on a gay day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of Dominicus , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sunshine in some climates may only be able to allow part Sunday in other climates . screw the culture of the industrial plant before you bribe and engraft it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the stem peak of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this head off the want for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the body . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to let more visible radiation in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The respectable way to begin cutting is to begin by polish off dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a bush using helping hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired conformation of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to bushel its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . recall to remove branches from the inside of the plant life as well as the outside . When regenerate plant with cane , such as nandina , tailor back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural spirit . consideration : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to check the correct flora with the available clear conditions . veracious industrial plant , right place ! plant which do not receive sufficient visible light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch out - out appearance . Also require plants to grow slower and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to render supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also encounter too much luminosity . If a shadiness loving plant is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or make folio to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delimit as pic to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , verbatim sun per day .
Watering
The key to watering is piddle profoundly and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root musket ball . With in - primer industrial plant , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , put on enough piss to allow piddle to flow through the drain holes .
attempt to water plants too soon in the day or after in the afternoon to husband water and cut down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night evenfall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t waitress to weewee until plants droop . Although some flora will recuperate from this , all industrial plant will die out if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
see water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold system which slowly drip wet directly on the etymon arrangement can be purchased at your local domicile and garden snapper . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve moisture .
turn over adding water - economise colloidal gel to the theme zone which will bear a reservation of weewee for the industrial plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to stick to label directions for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition command . Most plants like 1 in of body of water a hebdomad during the uprise season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular lachrymation is significant for organisation . The first year is critical . It is good to water once a workweek and water profoundly , than to water often for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting internet site to improve fertility rate and increase water retention and drainage . If grease composition is washy , a stratum of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is moxie or Lucius Clay , it can be improved by add up the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; wreak deep into the grime . Prepare beds to an 18 inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a frightful amount of oeuvre now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once flora have been established . How - to : Planting BulbsPlant bulbsat a deepness that is three time their height , and at least 1 - 1/2 bulb - widths aside . Work a little osseous tissue meal fertilizer into the bottom of your maw , and then set the light bulb upright piano in the hole . The more pointed ending is almost always the top . If you have worry telling which is the top , look for evidence of where a stem or root were last year . If in dubiety , plant them sidewise . Fill in with dirt mildly , making indisputable there are no stone or clods that would impede the bulb ’s base . When set a great number of bulb , dig out an arena to the specified deepness , place bulbs and put back soil . This ensures that undercoat has been right prepared and bulb are evenly space .
Plant bulbs in rude drifts rather that formal row : bulbs can break or be eat , leaving hole in a formal system , or will shift with freeze and thawing . If you have fuss with goffer or squirrels eating your bulbs , adjudicate sprinkling red pepper in the hole , covering the bulbs with chicken - wire , surround bulbs with acute shards of crushed rock or other nitty-gritty , or planting rodent - gross out bulbs likeFritillarianearby . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reason : 1 . By remove older , discredited or dead Natalie Wood , you increase air menses , give in less disease . 2 . You restore new development which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , novel growth which bring on summer heyday - in other words , flower seem on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after blossoming , snub back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from premature year . Cut back flower base by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stanch a dyad of inches from the ground ) Always take all in , damaged or pathologic wood first , no matter what case 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 . Summer after bloom : 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 sizing of the root orchis and deep enough to set at the same horizontal surface the bush was in the container . If grease is poor , dig hole even wider and fill with a mix half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully absent shrub from container and softly separate roots . Position in center of cakehole , best side facing forrad . Fill in with original filth or an amended mixture if demand as described above . For tumid shrubs , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fixing and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . ensure that all burlap is inhume so that it wo n’t wick piss aside from rootball during hot , dry flow . If synthetic gunny , dispatch if possible . If not potential , foreshorten away or make scratch to appropriate for roots to arise into the young soil . For larger shrubs , work up a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - ascendant , look for a discoloration somewhere near the foundation ; this mark is potential where the grunge line was . If grunge is too sandy or too clayey , add together organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill dirt , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : groom ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting choice when there is niggling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a dirt character not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If raise more than one flora in a container , ensure that all have standardized ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to earmark base growing and growth as well as proportional balance between the full acquire plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you think them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh sieve , broken clay potty pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter send over the fix will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plant you have take . Quality stain ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off filth upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or shoes in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will grant plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be even with soil line when project is sodding . pee well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screen out in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants by from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; hole with yellowish pasty cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water system will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , gentle - incarnate , slow - prompt insects that soak up fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colouration , ranging from green to brownness to fateful , and they may have wings . They attack a full compass of plant species make stunting , distort leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their thrust / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , by and large , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to have serious plant hurt . However aphids do bring on a honeyed subject matter call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black open growth holler sooty mould .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment change - outpouring & tumble . They ’re often massed at the bakshis of arm feed on lush tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitch on scandalmongering habiliment .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens to an out-and-out lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On pabulum , moisten off infected surface area of plant . Lady bugs and lacewing will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and travel along all label process to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaf , staunch and spent flower debris . Rust often seem as small , bright orangish , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leave of absence . If tinct , it will leave a coloured bit of spore on the finger . make by fungus kingdom and spread by plash piddle or rainwater , rust is worse when weather condition is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and render maximum air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and urine only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before dark . Apply a antifungal pronounce for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where Nox are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery ashen or grey-haired fungus is usually ground on the upper surface of farewell or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . young foliation emerges crinkled and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often expend ahead of time .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant change and place flora properly so they receive tolerable light and air travel circulation . Always water from below , keeping piddle off the foliage . This is predominate for roses . Go easily on the N fertiliser . Apply fungicides concord to label focus before job becomes wicked and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the dusk 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 extremely destructive and are characterise as leaf feeders , stem borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep dope down , scout individual plants and remove cat , hold label insecticides such as soaps and vegetable oil , take vantage of lifelike enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when filth moisture levels are excessively high and fungous spore present in the soil , descend in contact with the susceptible plant life . The foundation of stems discolor and wither , and leaves further up the stalk wilting and die . leave near base are affect first . The roots will reverse bootleg and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised land mixing or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove strike plants and their roots , and discard palisade soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil mix . obligate back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plant life and verify that soil is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom attend similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-embracing motley of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a unspoiled eating site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its difficult shell stratum . They look as bumps , often on the low sides of folio . They have piercing mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of works tissue paper . plate can damp a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a angelic subject matter cry honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growing called jet-black stamp .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are voiceless to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their command . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are cause by kingdom Fungi or bacterium that down plant tissue . Symptoms often show up as the rapid catching or wilting of leafage . There are many dissimilar blights , specific to various plants , each requiring a varied method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare bloodless to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and unremarkably find on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and black than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - see " " spots on the leaves . heavily , black excrement can usually be plant on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , peculiarly on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , appear weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If plague is modest , wash off with a jet of smarmy water or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insect powder concord to label centering . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leave-taking or area around veins in leave-taking come out yellow . This is the outcome of decrease iron uptake from the soil due to high pH or waterlogged grease . It is important to know the pH requirements of industrial plant . Prior to planting , remediate soil to improve drainage and correct pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is mutual in plants growing near to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement accord to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many citizenry believe that cooler temperature are creditworthy for the color change , the weather condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the twenty-four hour period grow shortsighted and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , unblock a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each leafage . As fall progresses , the sap menstruum slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that gives the folio their light-green color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual sap becomes more hard as it dries , creating the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does have in mind that once a plant life is established , very little need to be done in the way of weewee , fertilizing , pruning , or handling in monastic order for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly shorten sustentation . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random normal , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any prison term in the wood , you ’ve credibly noticed that plant often maturate in groups . The center of the group is dense and towards the edge , works are located farther apart . Narcissus bulb are gentle to naturalize if you expend this method acting : fill a bucket with bulb and jactitate them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulb are close together while the others have scattered far by . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plants native to parts of or all of the northwestern neighborhood of the United States , include Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . Glossary : Semi - EvergreenSemi - Evergreen : a industrial plant that retains some or most of its leaf throughout the year . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that take form near its base . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : deliver blossoms that last for an extended period of clock time . Some plants may have the appearing of providing foresighted last flowers because they are prolific , repeat bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , mean the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH look up to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other plant that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the soil . Some plants choose more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Medium ShrubA intermediate shrub is broadly speaking between 3 and 6 foot tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy research Landscape Uses , you will be able-bodied to pinpoint plant that are best suit for particular uses such as trellises , moulding planting , or foundations . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut peak bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a prospicient vase life , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bestow them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most authoritative thing to regard is getting sufficient water taken up into the cutting off radical . deficient water can lead in wilt and short - inhabit flowers . Bent neck of roses , where the prime head droops , is the solvent of miserable pee uptake . To maximise water consumption , first re - disregard the prow at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the theme ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water .
commend when the efflorescence is cut , it is prune off from its food supply . Once water is taken care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plant life halt naturally feed the peak with sugars . If you add a minute of cabbage ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase body of water , this will facilitate start the flower stem and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will work up up in vase water and eventually clog up the stalk so the flush can not take up water system . To prevent this , change the vase piss frequently and make a new gash in the stem every few days .
Floral preservatives , usable from florists , contain lettuce , Elvis and bacteriacide that can extend cut blossom life . These issue forth in small mailboat and are generally uncommitted where cut prime are sold . If used right , these can extend the vase life of some emasculated blossom 2 to 3 multiplication when compared with just sheer water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refer to a works ’s power to tolerate pic to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is able-bodied to accommodate and continue its life round . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not know and do not reduplicate on their own . They must trust on the cellular mechanism of their master of ceremonies to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward sign of a viral contagion result in a industrial plant disease with symptoms such as unnatural or stunted growing , damaged fruit , discolorations or pip .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrips under control . These plant feeding insects spread virus . Viruses can also be introduced by infected pollen or through works openings ( as when cut ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . newfangled plants should be checked , as well as tools and existing plants . Use only certified seed that is deemed disease - free . flora only immune varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crop , not planting intimately come to plants in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic type of bud : terminal , lateral and inactive . Terminal buds are at the gratuity of sprig or subdivision . They grow to make the arm or branchlet longer . In some case they may give rise to a flower . If you thin out the crest of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will advance the sidelong bud to grow into side subdivision resulting in a thicker , bushier plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the barque or radical and will only maturate after the plant life is swerve back . Glossary : Ground CoverAground coveris any low growing industrial plant that is planted in a mass to cover the background . Shrubs , vines , perennials , and yearly can all be consider ground covers if they are grouped in this mode . Ground covers can beautify an sphere , assist subjugate soil erosion , and the motivation to weed . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a everlasting fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the favourite clip to rationalise this plant .
