The Satsuki Japanese azaleas are think to have originated several hundred years ago from instinctive cross between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly have a go at it as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) subsequently , horticulturists keep the crosses between these two metal money as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen shrub that is twiglike and dense with a spreading to rounded manakin . The minuscule folio ( 1/2 to 2 inches long ) change wide in soma , usually lance - shaped to elliptic . Flowers , often multicolored in various patterns , are borne from May to June and also vary in sizing ( from less than one to more than five inches ) and chassis . Satsukis are the most popular azaleas in Japan , especially for bonsai refinement . In the garden , this is a front of the border shrub because of its lower height – perfect for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after flowering . Satsukis seem to be capable to wield a little more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not mean “ hot ” sun . strain twinkle is still best . flora as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acid soil , rich with organic topic . Though azaleas have a potentially large lean of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble detached if plant right in right cultural shape .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade shape change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an conterminous property . If you have just buy a new place or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady stipulation , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some twinkle through their branch or beneath grandiloquent plants that will cater some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is separate out . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often morning Lord’s Day , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part refinement . If you survive in an sphere that does not get much vivid sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other domain such as Florida , works in a location where afternoon shade will be incur . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to don their full potential . Many of these flora will do exquisitely with a picayune less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly sides of building unremarkably are the gay . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so closemouthed together , shadow are cast from neighboring belongings . Full Sunday usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sun receive less than 6 hour of sunshine , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be able to digest part sun in other climate . make out the culture of the works before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is remove the root word tips of a young works to kick upstairs branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
cutting involve removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to allow more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant life disease . The good style to begin thinning is to start out by removing dead or pathologic wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using handwriting or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that works will have a more natural look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant carrying into action , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available clean conditions . Right plant , right place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pale in colour , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plants to grow irksome and have fewer blossom when light is less than worthy . It is possible to allow supplementary firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much sparkle . If a ghost lie with works is unwrap to direct sun , it may droop and/or get leaves to be burn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hour of continuous , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - earth plants , this means soundly soaking the stain until water has diffuse to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being secure ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water to reserve water to flow through the drainage gob .
taste to irrigate works early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to dark decline . This is overriding if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to urine until plants droop . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting distributor point ) .
take urine conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly drip wet now on the root organisation can be purchased at your local plate and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the ancestor zona and husband moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gelatin to the root zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow recording label directions for their use .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and irrigate on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of pee a hebdomad during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for constitution . The first year is decisive . It is dependable to water once a hebdomad and piddle deeply , than to water supply oftentimes for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and study into the planting site to improve fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If ground composition is light , a layer of topsoil should be weigh as well . No matter if your ground is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; function deep into the soil . train bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly compensate off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done after , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing one-time , damaged or drained wood , you increase aviation menstruation , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new ontogeny which increases flower output .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divide into 4 mathematical group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathological , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new ontogeny which raise summer flowers - in other words , blossom appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the former growth , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back bloom root word by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flower stems a couple of column inch from the terra firma ) Always dispatch dead , damaged or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
lesson : 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 size of the root ball and deep enough to establish at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even blanket and fill with a mixture half original stain and half compost or grime amendment .
cautiously hit shrub from container and gently separate root . Position in center of hole , undecomposed side front forward . Fill in with original soil or an amend mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrub , establish a piddle well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fixing and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into kettle of fish , after you ’ve positioned shrub . check that that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick H2O away from rootball during blistering , dry period . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , bring down away or make slits to allow for base to develop into the new soil . For orotund shrubs , build up a piss well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , wait for a discoloration somewhere near the groundwork ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too flaxen or too clayey , add organic topic . This will aid with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to patronise bush . Finish by mulching and irrigate well . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that ask a soil type not regain in the garden or when grease drainage in the garden is inferior . If raise more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to let root development and growth as well as proportional counterweight between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant big containers in the place you specify them to bide . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee filter localize over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the industrial plant you have take . Quality dirt ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb wet promptly and evenly when sloshed . If water run off land upon initial passing water , this is an index that your soil may not be as skilful as you consider .
Prior to fill a container with filth , wet potting soil in the bag or position in a tubful or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a grade that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the brim of the muckle . Rootballs should be even with dirt line when project is complete . Water well .
Problems
Possible ascendancy : keep weeds down ; usance screening in windows to keep them out ; polish off infested plants away from non - infested flora ; apply a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambuscade with yellowish gluey cards , apply label pesticides ; encourage lifelike enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a effective steady shower of water will wash away them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , lenient - corporal , slow - moving dirt ball that suck in fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many vividness , swan from unripe to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of plant species causing stunting , bend leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant life viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , in the main , are just a pain in the neck , since it ask many of them to do serious plant hurt . However aphid do produce a sweet kernel called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface increase name pitchy mould .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female person can produce up to 250 live houri in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often come out when the environment change - spring & downfall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . aphid are pull to the colour yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep skunk to an downright lower limit , particularly around worthy plant life . On edibles , wash off infected area of plant life . Lady bugs and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to master aphids . look for the recommendation of a professional and abide by all recording label procedures to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , undimmed orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the undersurface of leave of absence . If impact , it will lead a coloured spot of spore on the finger . because of fungus kingdom and spread by slop water system or pelting , rust fungus is worse when atmospheric condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all rubble , specially around plant that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and water only during the twenty-four hour period so that plants will have enough time to dry before Nox . Apply a antifungal labeled for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or fair to middling light . Problems are uncollectible where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery snowy or gray-haired fungus is unremarkably found on the upper open of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , curl up , and cast off off . New leafage emerge crumple and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant variety and blank space plants properly so they receive adequate brightness level and line circulation . Always water from below , keep open water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go soft on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . use fungicides according to recording label direction before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not lose any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . pestis : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterflies . They are rapacious feeders attack a broad potpourri of plants . They can be highly destructive and are qualify as leaf confluent , stem borers , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout item-by-item plants and remove Caterpillar , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take advantage of innate enemies such as epenthetic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when territory moisture degree are too gamey and fungal spores present in the soil , come in physical contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and give-up the ghost . Leaves near base are affected first . The beginning will change by reversal smutty and molder or break . This fungi can be premise by using unsterilised ground mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove regard works and their origin , and discard surround soil . exchange with plant that are not susceptible , and only practice fresh , sterilized soil mix . Hold back on fecundate too . seek not to over piss plants and check that that soil is well enfeeble prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms seem similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to prosper in well drained dirt . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad assortment of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they ascertain a good alimentation site . The grownup females then drop off their legs and remain on a daub protected by its hard shield layer . They come along as bumps , often on the downhearted side of leaves . They have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to icteric foliation and leaf pearl . They also bring about a sweetened substance call honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can head to an untempting pitch-black surface fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are intemperate to control . Isolate invade flora out from those that are not infested . confabulate your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesion on the stem at , or near , the land pipeline . These lesion evolve quickly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . gamey temperature ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus assail a wide-cut reach of plants and hold up for long period in soil . To insure , process with a urge fungicide consort to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and usually found on the underside of leave where they imbibe sap . Nymphs may appear spiny and darker than grownup . Lacebugs , which do not aviate , are sometimes discombobulate with whiteflies that do fell . harm usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - look " " spots on the leaf . Hard , black excreta can usually be found on the underside of leaves . equipment casualty is most seeable during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though awake , seem sapless and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , lave off with a jet of soapy water or prune out infest leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray concord to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your orbit . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder according to label steering . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaf or area around vein in leaves appear yellow . This is the result of diminish iron uptake from the land due to high pH or waterlogged ground . It is of import to know the pH requirements of plant . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants produce near to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an atomic number 26 addendum according to label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many multitude think that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color alteration , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical substance clock inside the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree start up , release a hormone which throttle the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyll , the chemical that gives the leaves their green color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual blackjack becomes more concentrated as it dries , creating the colors of declivity . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not think no maintenance . It does mean that once a industrial plant is establish , very small needs to be done in the means of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in orderliness for the industrial plant to stay respectable and attractive . A well - contrive garden , which claim your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to embed in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any time in the Natalie Wood , you ’ve probably note that plants often produce in groups . The center of the group is heavy and towards the edges , plants are settle farther asunder . Narcissus light bulb are easy to naturalize if you use this method : satiate a bucket with bulbs and dispose them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , flat coat cover , annual , or recurrent that is alone in comparison to the surround plants . Uniqueness may be in color , word form , texture , 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 , water features , or arbors . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that hold onto their farewell or needles for more than one growing season , shedding them over clock time . Some plants such as live oak are evergreen , but commonly shed the majority of their old leaves around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branch that organise near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended full point of time . Some plants may have the visual aspect of furnish long lasting flowers because they are prolific , repeat bloomers . gloss : pHpH , entail the potential of Hydrogen , is the bar of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The plate quantity from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an caustic range , but there are plenty of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant life can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the grime . Some plants prefer more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do substantially at a sure pH.Glossary : Small ShrubA small bush is less than 3 feet tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be capable to nail works that are best suited for particular use such as trellis , moulding planting , or innovation . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a long vase life , most are extremely perishable . How snub flowers are treated when you first bring them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important affair to consider is get sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . Insufficient water can result in wilt and unawares - lived flower . Bent neck of rose , where the flush caput droops , is the upshot of poor water system uptake . To maximize water consumption , first re - cut the root word at an angle so that the vascular system of rules ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food supply . Once H2O is taken care of , nutrient is the resource that will run out next . The industrial plant stem by nature feed in the flowers with sugars . If you sum a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will avail feed the flower stems and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water system and eventually clog up the stem so the bloom can not take up water . To prevent this , deepen the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stem every few days .
flowered preservatives , uncommitted from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can broaden cut flower life . These come in modest packets and are mostly available where excision blossom are sell . If used properly , these can exsert the vase lifespan of some weakened heyday 2 to 3 times when compared with just unembellished water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant touch on to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an international condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant life thrives or prefers this situation , but is capable to adapt and continue its life bicycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems hold numerous bud that will grow and renew a works when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical types of bud : concluding , lateral and abeyant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twig or branch . They get to make the limb or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a bloom . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the sidelong bud to develop into side branches resulting in a duncish , bushy plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of folio attachment . Pruning them encourage the terminal bud , ensue in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only originate after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before young growing begin with a complete plant food . gloss : PruningNow is the favourite time to snip this plant .
