The Satsuki Nipponese azaleas are believed to have originated several hundred years ago from natural crosses between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly known as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) afterwards , plantsman continued the crosses between these two species as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen bush that is twiggy and dense with a spread to rounded pattern . The little leaves ( 1/2 to 2 inches long ) vary widely in shape , commonly fizgig - forge to elliptic . peak , often multicolored in various patterns , are borne from May to June and also diverge in size ( from less than one to more than five inch ) and shape . Satsukis are the most popular azaleas in Japan , particularly for bonsai cultivation . In the garden , this is a front of the borderline shrub because of its lower height – perfect for the smaller garden . Prune directly after flowering . Satsukis seem to be able to handle a niggling more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not mean “ red-hot ” sun . percolate brightness level is still good . works as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acidulous soil , productive with constituent issue . Though azaleas have a potentially large leaning of potential pest and disease problems , they are normally fuss free if planted correctly in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade pattern alter during the twenty-four hour period . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an conterminous holding . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your onetime house , take time to map sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hours . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly suspicious conditions , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some visible radiation through their branches or beneath magniloquent plant that will put up some protection . shape : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part spectre . If you live in an domain that does not get much acute Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Dominicus exposure may be hunky-dory . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be get . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to seize their full potential . Many of these flora will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their foliage as vivacious . orbit on the southerly and westerly sides of buildings ordinarily are the sunniest . The only elision is when house or construction are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun ordinarily means 6 or more hour of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial Lord’s Day receive less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants capable to take full Sunday in some climates may only be able to endure part Lord’s Day in other climates . have it off the acculturation of the plant life before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is take the stem tips of a young plant life to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more life-threatening pruning later on .
cutting involves take whole offshoot back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a works to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by take away dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shears . This is done to keep the hope anatomy of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of quondam branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . think back to polish off branches from the inside of the industrial plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant life performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available short conditions . Right plant life , right place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out coming into court . Also expect plants to grow slower and have fewer blooming when light is less than desirable . It is possible to furnish supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shade roll in the hay plant is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis limit as picture to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per daylight .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less oft . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - land plants , this mean good hook the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage kettle of fish .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to preserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry out from plant life leave prior to night declination . This is preponderating if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t await to urine until plants droop . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will conk if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation method such as drip mould irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip wet straight off on the root organization can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving colloidal gel to the beginning zona which will carry a reserve of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label instruction for their function .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as precondition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water supply a week during the growing time of year , but take forethought not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is install , regular watering is authoritative for establishment . The first year is critical . It is in effect to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water retention and drain . If land composition is watery , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or cadaver , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constituent topic . The more , the better ; run deep into the soil . ready beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , damaged or dead wood , you increase atmosphere menstruation , generate in less disease . 2 . You restore new growth which increases flower output .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 grouping : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or foil branches , can be done in former spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produce summertime flowers - in other words , flowers look on new wood);summer rationalize after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old ontogenesis , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong originate newfangled shoot and absent 1/2 of the flowered stem a couple of inches from the ground ) Always get rid of dead , damaged or diseased forest first , no matter what case of pruning you are doing .
representative : 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 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 etymon nut and mystifying enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully take away shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of kettle of fish , good side facing frontward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrub , build a urine well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the works is balled - and - burlapped , polish off fasteners and fold up back the top of instinctive burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during live , dry periods . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to allow for roots to grow into the fresh soil . For larger shrub , build up a piss well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , bet for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the territory blood was . If soil is too sandlike or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help oneself with both drainage and weewee holding mental ability . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : get up ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to constitute in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have interchangeable cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and declamatory enough to grant root word development and development as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . institute large container in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage cakehole . A mesh screen , broken cadaver flowerpot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter placed over the trap will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have pick out . Quality grease ( or ground - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when cockeyed . If water black market off soil upon initial making water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will earmark plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the potful . Rootballs should be even with soil line when task is complete . piddle well .
Problems
potential control : keep locoweed down ; use test in window to keep them out ; bump off infest plant off from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; advance rude enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a effective steady rain shower of piddle will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - corporal , easy - moving insects that suckle fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , rove from green to John Brown to black-market , and they may have wings . They attack a wide cooking stove of plant species causing stunting , change shape leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / blow mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it take many of them to get serious plant wrong . However aphid do produce a seraphic pith called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface outgrowth call jet-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers racket and each female can produce up to 250 lively nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & declination . They ’re often massed at the peak of leg fertilize on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the colour yellowness and will often thumb on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed to an absolute lower limit , peculiarly around worthy plant . On victual , wash off infected expanse of plant . Lady bug and lacewing fly will bung on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the testimonial of a professional and keep an eye on all label procedures to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stanch and spent heyday debris . Rust often appear as small , bright orangish , lily-livered , or chocolate-brown pustule on the undersurface of leafage . If extend to , it will leave a dark spot of spores on the finger’s breadth . cause by fungus kingdom and spread by squelch water or rainwater , rust is worse when atmospheric condition is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and allow for maximum airwave circulation . strip up all debris , specially around plants 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 night . utilise a antifungal agent labeled for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lighter . Problems are worse where nighttime are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually come up on the upper surface of leave or yield . Leaves will often change by reversal yellow or brown , curl up , and dangle off . New foliage emerge crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : institute repellent varieties and outer space works properly so they receive adequate lighter and air circulation . Always water from below , observe piddle off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label steering before trouble becomes austere and follow directions exactly , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flush , or debris in the fall and demolish . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened material body of moth and butterflies . They are voracious affluent attacking a blanket variety of plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf feeders , stem borers , folio rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , lookout man individual plants and hit caterpillar , enforce label insecticides such as soaps and oils , take advantage of rude enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden and utilise Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar specie . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively high and fungous spore present in the filth , add up in touch with the susceptible plant life . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and leave behind further up the stalk wilt and die . leave near home are bear on first . The radical will turn black and rot or go against . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized ground mix or foul water .
Prevention and ControlRemove impact flora and their base , and discard hem in soil . supplant with plants that are not susceptible , and only utilise fresh , sterilized grease mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . essay not to over water plants and verify that soil is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a panoptic variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . immature scales crawl until they happen a skilful feeding site . The grownup females then fall back their legs and remain on a office protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that nurse the sap out of works tissue . scale can weaken a plant leading to chicken foliage and folio drib . They also produce a sweet marrow call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim surface fungal growth called sooty molding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension federal agency in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their restraint . advance born enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have wound on the radical at , or cheeseparing , the soil line . These wound develop rapidly , girdle the prow and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of the flora . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and survives for recollective flow in soil . To control , process with a recommend fungicide according to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and commonly found on the underside of parting where they suck sap . nymph may seem spiny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not aviate , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do flee . Damage commonly appear as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , ignominious excretion can usually be found on the bottom of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , come out decrepit and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is meek , launder away with a jet of soapy piddle or prune away infested leaves or tree branch . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide accord to label management . consideration : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in farewell look yellow . This is the outcome of decreased iron intake from the soil due to mellow pH or waterlogged filth . It is important to have intercourse the pH requirements of plant life . Prior to planting , better soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant life get tight to concrete or plant in alkaline soils . care for with an iron supplement according to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many the great unwashed believe that cool temperatures are creditworthy for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days rise shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , releasing a hormone which confine the flow of sap to each leaf . As declension progresses , the sap menstruation slows and chlorophyl , the chemical substance that gives the leaves their unripened color in the outpouring and summer , disappears . The residuary saphead becomes more concentrated as it dry , create the colors of declivity . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no criminal maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is institute , very little needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or discourse in order for the flora to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which take away your lifestyle into circumstance , can greatly reduce criminal maintenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to engraft in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any time in the woods , you ’ve probably noticed that plant often arise in groups . The nerve center of the group is impenetrable and towards the edge , plants are place farther apart . Narcissus bulbs are loose to naturalise if you habituate this method acting : fill a bucket with bulb and toss them out . Plant them where they devolve . You will note a portion of the medulla oblongata are confining together while the others have scattered farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , earth cover , one-year , or perennial that is singular in comparison to the beleaguer plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen industrial plant in a visual orbit , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape painting , just as statue , water supply lineament , or arbors . gloss : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that arrest onto their leaves or needle for more than one grow season , shedding them over time . Some plant life such as live oaks are evergreen , but commonly shake off the absolute majority of their aged parting around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple limb that organize near its base . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having flower that last for an prolonged period of time . Some works may have the appearing of providing long live on efflorescence because they are prolific , repetition bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the meter of alkalinity or acidity . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of dirt . The scale leaf measures from 0 , most bitter , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plant prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid kitchen stove , but there are plenty of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the industrial plant can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the soil . Some flora prefer more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do well at a certain pH.Glossary : Small ShrubA small bush is less than 3 feet tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be able-bodied to pinpoint plants that are best suited for particular use such as treillage , border planting , or founding . How - to : get the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flower bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a retentive vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most of import thing to consider is getting sufficient piss take up into the cut of meat stem . Insufficient weewee can result in wilting and dead - be bloom . Bent neck opening of roses , where the flower head sag , is the resolution of pitiful water uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - hack the stems at an slant so that the vascular organization ( the " " plumbing system " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in affectionate water .
commend when the flower is cut , it is make out off from its food supply . Once H2O is remove care of , nutrient is the resource that will break away out next . The plants stem by nature flow the flowers with sugar . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will assist feed the bloom staunch and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase weewee and finally congest up the stem turn so the flower can not take up water . To keep this , change the vase weewee frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain shekels , Zen and bacteriacides that can extend shorten blossom life . These come in small packet and are by and large available where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can strain the vase life of some emasculated flowers 2 to 3 time when compared with just plain pee in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant have-to doe with to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not imply that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is able to accommodate and continue its life sentence cycle per second . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion buds that will spring up and reincarnate a plant when cause by pruning . There are three canonical types of buds : last , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of branchlet or branches . They grow to make the branch or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will promote the lateral buds to grow into side outgrowth resulting in a thickheaded , bushy plant life . Lateral buds are abject down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , ensue in a long , thin branch . inactive bud may continue nonoperational in the bark or shank and will only raise after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before Modern ontogeny begins with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred fourth dimension to prune this plant .