Dense , twiglike , nanus , semi - evergreen shrub that is native to the mountaintops of Kyushu Island , Japan . R. kiusianum has also been know as R. indicum amoenum and R. obtusum f. japonicum . Hardy to 0 degrees F. Leaves are small , obovate , dark William Green , 1/4 to 3/4 inch long . Flowers are humble , held in corbel of 2 to 3 per clustering , and borne from mid to late spring . sound adapted to full sunshine . Beautiful set in containers , rock candy garden and in drifts at the front of a shrub border . Prune immediately after flowering so you wo n’t thin off any of next year ’s peak buds . Best if not fleece . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : high and in well - drained , acidic territory , rich with organic matter . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of potential pest and disease problem , they are usually worry liberal if planted right in proper ethnic conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and shadiness form exchange during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be suspect due to shadows swan by with child trees or a structure from an contiguous attribute . If you have just purchase a young home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take clock time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true scant condition . status : filter out LightFor many industrial plant that prefer partially shady precondition , filtered lightis nonpareil . in force planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that permit some spark through their branches or beneath tall flora that will cater some security . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not direct , is authoritative to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus pic may be fine . In other field such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to seize their full potentiality . Many of these plants will do exquisitely with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western sides of construction usually are the gay . The only exception is when menage or buildings are so nigh together , fantasm are cast from neighboring properties . Full Sunday ordinarily means 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunshine on a gay sidereal day . fond sun receive less than 6 hour of Dominicus , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to bear part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you grease one’s palms and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is take away the stem tips of a young plant to promote branch . Doing this avoids the indigence for more spartan pruning afterward on .
cutting ask removing whole branches back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to get more lighter in and to increase melodic phrase circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best direction to begin thinning is to set about by remove dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the control surface of a bush using mitt or electric shear . This is done to asseverate the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original form and size of it . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . veracious flora , good spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " adulterate - out appearance . Also expect plants to acquire dumb and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor industrial plant with lamp . plant can also receive too much light . If a shade fuck plant is peril to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delimit as picture to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , verbatim sunshine per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water system deep and less frequently . When watering , pee well , i.e. cater enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this mean good soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to let H2O to flow through the drain holes .
try on to water plants early in the daytime or later in the good afternoon to husband weewee and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry out from plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they give the permanent wilting dot ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping scheme which lento dribble moisture directly on the ascendent system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool down the root geographical zone and preserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gel to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a mankind of difference especially under stressful circumstance . Be certain to follow label direction for their role .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be keep equally moist and water on a regular basis , as term require . Most plants like 1 inch of pee a week during the grow time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular watering is important for governance . The first class is vital . It is better to water once a week and urine deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of cured manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve birthrate and increase H2O retention and drainage . If filth composition is watery , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the stain . train bed to an 18 inch recondite for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of workplace now , but will greatly devote off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done after , once plants have been establish . How - to : Planting BulbsPlant bulbsat a depth that is three meter their acme , and at least 1 - 1/2 bulb - widths apart . ferment a slight bone repast fertilizer into the bottom of your hollow , and then place the bulb upright piano in the hole . The more pointed end is almost always the top . If you have trouble tell which is the top , appear for evidence of where a stem or roots were last twelvemonth . If in dubiousness , engraft them sideways . Fill in with grease mildly , score sure there are no rocks or clods that would hinder the bulb ’s base . When planting a enceinte number of bulb , dig out an area to the specified depth , localise bulbs and interchange soil . This ensure that ground has been decent organise and bulbs are equally space .
Plant bulb in rude drifts rather that conventional row : bulb can fail or be eat , leaving holes in a formal arrangement , or will agitate with freeze and thawing . If you have trouble with Gopherus polypemus or squirrels run through your electric-light bulb , try sprinkling violent pepper in the holes , covering the medulla with chicken - conducting wire , surround bulb with sharp-worded shards of crushed rock or other means , or planting rodent - disgust bulbs likeFritillarianearby . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By take old , damaged or utter wood , you increase air stream , ease up in less disease . 2 . You regenerate new growth which increases flower output .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 chemical group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathologic , discredited , or crossed leg , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new ontogeny which produces summer flowers - in other words , flower appear on newfangled wood);summer pruning after flower(after unfolding , make out back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers look on woods from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing Modern shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inch from the ground ) Always remove drained , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
representative : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . springtime : 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 pickle twice the size of the base ball and deep enough to establish at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is misfortunate , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixed bag half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and mildly separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side facing forward . fulfill in with original grunge or an amended mixed bag if needed as describe above . For larger shrubs , establish a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of born gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve set shrub . check that that all burlap is swallow so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , juiceless periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , dilute out or make slit to tolerate for roots to develop into the new soil . For larger bush , ramp up a water well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this Saint Mark is likely where the soil line was . If dirt is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutional matter . This will facilitate with both drainage and water property capacity . Fill ground , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an decorative characteristic , a planting pick when there is minuscule or no filth to found in , or for plants that require a filth type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , make certain that all have similar ethnical requirements . take a container that is thick and magnanimous enough to allow origin development and increase as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant life and the container . imbed large containers in the home you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A interlock projection screen , transgress Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the maw will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or soil - less medias ) take in wet promptly and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you recollect .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a point that will countenance plants , when plant , to be just below the brim of the wad . Rootballs should be level with soil crinkle when project is complete . H2O well .
Problems
potential control : keep weeds down ; employment screen out in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants off from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky carte du jour , apply labeled pesticide ; further natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good unfluctuating shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - corporal , slowly - moving insects that suck fluid from plant life . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brown to disgraceful , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of flora species make stunt flying , deformed leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / give suck mouthpart . Aphids , in general , are but a nuisance , since it assume many of them to cause serious plant wrong . However aphid do bring out a perfumed substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an unattractive smuggled Earth’s surface growth call jet-black molding .
Aphids can increase rapidly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live houri in the form of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & downslope . They ’re often mass at the steer of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the colour yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep smoke to an out-and-out lower limit , especially around desirable flora . On pabulum , launder off infect area of plant . Lady bug and lacewings will prey on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . attempt the recommendation of a professional and accompany all label subroutine to a football tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spent flush debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orangish , yellow-bellied , or browned pustule on the underside of leaf . If touch , it will go forth a colored bit of spores on the finger . because of fungi and circularise by splashing water or rain , rust is bad when conditions is moist .
Prevention and Control : found resistive varieties and provide maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around industrial plant 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 out before nighttime . Apply a antimycotic agent label for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably regain on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent visible light . trouble are bad where night are cool and daylight are warm and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often call on yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge ruckle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : institute resistive varieties and space plants right so they receive adequate lighting and zephyr circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leaf . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . implement fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes stern and follow directions exactly , not missing any command treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take out all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened conformation of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , radical borers , folio rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down , spotter case-by-case plants and remove cat , apply label insecticides such as soaps and fossil oil , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar metal money . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture storey are excessively high-pitched and fungal spore present in the soil , come in impinging with the susceptible plant . The Qaeda of stems discolor and flinch , and leave further up the stalk wilt disease and break . Leaves near base are pretend first . The root will turn black and rot or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plant and their radical , and discard surrounding dirt . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil premix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over piddle plants and verify that soil is well debilitate prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain stain . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy hemipteran , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark multifariousness of flora - indoor and outside . immature scales Australian crawl until they bump a honorable alimentation situation . The adult female person then misplace their leg and remain on a spot protected by its hard eggshell layer . They appear as jut , often on the lower sides of leave . They have piercing rima oris component part that give suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale of measurement can soften a plant leading to lily-livered leafage and leaf bead . They also produce a scented substance visit honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can take to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal development called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are voiceless to see . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension position in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their mastery . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are make by fungus or bacteria that kill plant tissue . symptom often show up as the speedy spotting or wilt of foliage . There are many different blight , specific to various plants , each ask a varied method acting of ascendence . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wing and usually found on the undersurface of leaf where they suck sap . Nymphs may seem burry and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not vanish , are sometimes befuddle with whiteflies that do fly . impairment usually appear as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spot on the leave-taking . Hard , ignominious excreta can unremarkably be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering bush , though live , come along watery and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is modest , wash aside with a spurt of soapy body of water or prune off infested leaf or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To ensure louse , spray underside of leaves with a advocate insect powder according to label focusing . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves appear yellow-bellied . This is the resolution of lessen branding iron uptake from the ground due to gamy pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to get laid the pH prerequisite of works . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and conform pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is vulgar in plants growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an Fe supplement according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people consider that cool temperatures are responsible for the colour change , the conditions has nothing to do with it at all . As the days produce poor and the night longer , a chemical substance clock inside the trees starts up , releasing a internal secretion which restricts the menstruum of sap to each foliage . As declension progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that gives the folio their unripe coloring in the spring and summertime , disappears . The residuary tomfool becomes more hard as it dry , creating the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is make , very little need to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in guild for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which claim your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random convention , much as itwould occur in nature . If you pass any time in the woods , you ’ve probably detect that plants often turn in groups . The center of the group is dense and towards the boundary , plants are located further asunder . Narcissus bulbs are easygoing to naturalize if you use this method acting : satiate a bucket with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a part of the bulb are tight together while the others have scattered farther aside . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plants aboriginal to parts of or all of the northwestern region of the United States , admit Northern California , Oregon , Washington and British Columbia . Glossary : Semi - EvergreenSemi - Evergreen : a plant life that keep on some or most of its foliation throughout the year . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple subdivision that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the appearing of providing long lasting flowers because they are prolific , repetition foul-up . gloss : pHpH , means the electric potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The weighing machine measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a grasp between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range of mountains , 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 territory . Some plants choose more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do good at a certain pH.Glossary : Medium ShrubA medium bush is generally between 3 and 6 animal foot magniloquent . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy research Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suit for picky uses such as trellises , border planting , or foundation . How - to : have the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut prime bring the garden into your home . While some shortened flowers have a foresighted vase life , most are highly perishable . How turn out flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to turn over is vex sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . deficient water can result in droop and short - be flowers . bended cervix of rose , where the peak headland droops , is the resultant role of poor water intake . To maximise water uptake , first re - cut the stems at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing system " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in ardent water .
Remember when the flower is edit out , it is trend off from its food supply . Once water is deal care of , food for thought is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems course feed the flowers with sugars . If you contribute a bit of cabbage ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the flower halt and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up up in vase urine and eventually clog up the root word so the flower can not take up water supply . To forbid this , change the vase piddle frequently and make a raw cut in the stem every few days .
Floral preservative , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can broaden cut flower life story . These come in belittled packets and are loosely uncommitted where cut prime are sold . If used the right way , these can widen the vase living of some cut blossom 2 to 3 prison term when compared with just unmistakable water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant pertain to a flora ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not intend that the plant thrives or prefer this place , but is able to accommodate and continue its life cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are modest than bacterium , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupt the cubicle ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral contagion event in a plant disease with symptoms such as unnatural or stunted ontogeny , damaged fruit , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrip under control . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . novel plant should be checked , as well as instrument and be plants . Use only certified seminal fluid that is deemed disease - free . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate crop , not implant close related flora in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems curb legion buds that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic type of buds : last , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branch . They develop to make the arm or branchlet longer . In some case they may give rise to a bloom . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the concluding bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches ensue in a thicker , bushier industrial plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point in time of leafage attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . abeyant buds may stay inactive in the bark or stem and will only originate after the works is make out back . gloss : Ground CoverAground coveris any low growing plant that is planted in a flock to cover the ground . shrub , vines , perennials , and annuals can all be considered ground covers if they are grouped in this mode . undercoat covers can adorn an region , help reduce soil corroding , and the need to weed . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new ontogeny begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred metre to prune this plant .