Dense , twiglike , midget , semi - evergreen shrub that is aboriginal 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 lowly , obovate , dark park , 1/4 to 3/4 inch long . bloom are small , nurse in trusses of 2 to 3 per cluster , and borne from mid to late spring . undecomposed adapted to full sun . Beautiful planted in container , rock gardens and in drifts at the front of a bush border . Prune immediately after flowering so you wo n’t cut off any of next year ’s efflorescence buds . Best if not fleece . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acidic soil , productive with organic affair . Though azaleas have a potentially turgid tilt of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble costless if plant correctly in right ethnical conditions .

Google Plant Images : click here !

Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

You will notice that Sunday and subtlety pattern convert during the daytime . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows be sick by tumid trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-god home , take time to represent Sunday and subtlety throughout the 24-hour interval . You will get a more accurate smell for your site ’s true clear conditions . Conditions : dribble LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady condition , filtered lightis nonesuch . Good planting website are under a mid to declamatory sized tree that lets some visible light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer lightness that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is significant to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as unattackable as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part nuance . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sunshine , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be ok . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tone will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to bear their full potential drop . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . Areas on the southern and westerly side of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , tail are cast from neighboring properties . Full sunlight unremarkably think 6 or more hour of lineal unobstructed sun on a sunny daylight . fond sun receive less than 6 hours of sunshine , but more than 3 hour . Plants able to take full sunshine in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sunshine in other climates . Know the culture of the plant life before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .

Pinching is removing the bow tips of a young plant to advance branching . Doing this avoid the need for more knockout pruning after on .

Thinning involve remove whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to open up the interior of a flora to lease more brightness level in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to get cutting is to get down by removing stagnant or diseased woods .

Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using handwriting or electric shears . This is done to keep up the desire frame of a hedge or topiary .

rejuvenate is remotion of old branches or the overall reducing of the size of a bush to restore its original figure and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . recollect to remove branch from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that industrial plant will have a more born flavor . stipulation : Light and Plant SelectionFor estimable plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light condition . Right plant , proper place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient spark may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out visual aspect . Also expect plants to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor works with lamps . Plants can also pick up too much light . If a shade loving plant is let on to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage . circumstance : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct Dominicus per day .

Watering

  • The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - flat coat plants , this means thoroughly soak the soil until piddle has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough piss to let water to flow through the drain holes .

  • try on to irrigate plant early on in the 24-hour interval or by and by in the good afternoon to economise water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do body of water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry from works leaf prior to dark capitulation . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .

  • Do n’t wait to water until plant wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting detail ) .

  • Consider body of water preservation method such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden gist . mulch can significantly chill the root zone and conserve wet .

  • look at adding water - saving gelatin to the ancestor zone which will hold a reserve of water supply for the plant life . These can make a world of dispute especially under nerve-wracking condition . Be certain to postdate label directions for their employment .

condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take maintenance not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and weewee deep , than to piddle frequently for a few minutes .

Planting

A week to 10 day before planting , sum 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is fallible , a bed of surface soil should be deal as well . No matter if your filth is sand or clay , it can be better by bring the same thing : organic issue . The more , the good ; bring deep into the filth . ready beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . 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 by and by , once industrial plant have been established . How - to : Planting BulbsPlant bulbsat a astuteness that is three time their height , and at least 1 - 1/2 medulla - widths aside . ferment a footling os meal fertiliser into the bottom of your hole , and then place the bulb upright in the fix . The more pointed end is almost always the top . If you have trouble telling which is the top , look for evidence of where a fore or roots were last class . If in question , imbed them sideway . Fill in with soil gently , ensure there are no rocks or glob that would close up the bulb ’s radical . When implant a great number of medulla , dig out an country to the specified depth , place bulbs and substitute grunge . This ensures that ground has been decent prepared and bulbs are evenly spaced .

Plant bulbs in raw movement rather that formal dustup : bulb can fail or be run through , leaving hole in a formal arrangement , or will shift with freezing and melting . If you have hassle with gophers or squirrels eating your bulbs , try scatter red pepper in the holes , covering the light bulb with volaille - telegram , surround bulb with abrupt shards of crushed rock or other pith , or plant rodent - repelling lightbulb likeFritillarianearby . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two ground : 1 . By removing previous , damaged or drained wood , you increase air flowing , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new increment which increases prime production .

Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathological , damaged , or cover branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which get summer flowers - in other words , flowers appear on young wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers appear on woodwind instrument from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong spring up new shoots and bump off 1/2 of the bloom stems a pair of inches from the ground ) Always remove all in , damaged or pathological Ellen Price Wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .

illustration : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and abstruse enough to found at the same level the bush was in the container . If territory is poor , dig hole out even blanket and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .

Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in marrow of hole , best side face ahead . Fill in with original grease or an better mixture if needed as described above . For large shrubs , establish a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .

If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove holdfast and close down back the top of natural gunny , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve position shrub . verify that all burlap is eat up so that it wo n’t wick piddle away from rootball during spicy , juiceless full point . If synthetic gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , cut down away or make slits to permit for source to develop into the new soil . For large shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .

If shrub is bare - source , look for a discoloration somewhere near the understructure ; this mug is potential where the grunge line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will serve with both drainage and water system holding capacity . Fill land , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting option when there is footling or no stain to plant in , or for flora that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant life in a container , verify that all have standardized cultural requirements . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to permit beginning developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . establish large containers in the place you intend them to appease . All container should have drainage holes . A meshwork projection screen , go against clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the muddle will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your ground may not be as full as you cerebrate .

Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . meet container about halfway full or to a horizontal surface that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with stain line when project is unadulterated . H2O well .

Problems

Possible ascendency : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; slay infested plants aside from non - infested plant ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowish sticky cards , employ labeled pesticide ; encourage rude enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are little , soft - bodied , slow - go dirt ball that suck fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many color , range from green to brownness to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of flora species cause stunting , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , in the main , are merely a nuisance , since it contain many of them to cause serious plant life damage . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can chair to an unattractive blackened surface increase call sooty mold .

Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without coupling . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & decline . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches course on lush tissue . aphid are attracted to the gloss yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellowed clothing .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , especially around desirable plants . On edibles , wash away off infect area of flora . Lady hemipteron and lacewings will eat 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 trace all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare server specific and overwinter on leave , stem and spent heyday debris . Rust often appears as diminished , shiny orangish , lily-livered , or brown pustule on the bottom of leaves . If have-to doe with , it will leave a biased spot of spores on the finger . get by fungi and propagate by splash water or rain , rust is worse when weather is moist .

Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and supply maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and water only during the twenty-four hour period so that works will have enough time to dry before dark . hold a antimycotic agent label for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are affectionate and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is commonly found on the upper aerofoil of foliage or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . raw foliage emerge wrinkle and deformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .

Prevention and Control : embed immune form and space plants by rights so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the foliage . This is preponderating for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides agree to label guidance before job becomes severe and espouse directions exactly , not neglect any required handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all farewell , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destruct . plague : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened var. of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attacking a broad salmagundi of works . They can be highly destructive and are qualify as leaf self-feeder , stalk bore bit , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - formers .

Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , picket single plants and remove caterpillars , lend oneself labeled insecticides such as goop and petroleum , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar metal money . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are to a fault high and fungal spores present in the grime , come in contact with the susceptible flora . The base of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalking wilt and die . leave-taking near floor are bear on first . The roots will move around black-market and rot or break . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilized territory premix or contaminated water .

Prevention and ControlRemove affect plants and their roots , and discard environ stain . put back with plant that are not susceptible , and only utilize unused , sterilize filth mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and check that that territory is well debilitate prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy glitch , that can be a problem on a wide motley of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawling until they come up a good feeding website . The adult female person then lose their wooden leg and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as jut , often on the low sides of folio . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . Scales can sabotage a plant pass to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call in honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can conduct to an unattractive black surface fungous growth foretell jet mold .

Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to manipulate . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden substance professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are cause by kingdom Fungi or bacteria that obliterate works tissue paper . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilt of foliage . There are many different blight , specific to various plants , each requiring a wide-ranging method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare blank to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy annexe and usually receive on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . nymph may appear burred and drear than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do pilot . impairment commonly come along as stipples or " " bleached - look " " office on the leaves . Hard , black excretory product can usually be regain on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on tree . Flowering shrubs , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .

Prevention and Control : If infestation is meek , wash away with a jet of soapy pee or prune away infest leaves or limbs . Timing is significant : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a advocate insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around mineral vein in leaves appear yellow . This is the result of decreased Fe uptake from the grease due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , improve soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is unwashed in plant growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement according to label direction .

Miscellaneous

Although many people think that cool temperature are responsible for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the trees pop up , releasing a hormone which restrict the flow rate of sap to each leafage . As fall progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyll , the chemical that gives the leaf their gullible semblance in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual blackjack becomes more saturated as it dries , creating the coloration of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not intend no maintenance . It does intend that once a plant is establish , very slight want to be done in the means of body of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in rescript for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your lifestyle into consideration , can greatly reduce sustenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you drop any metre in the woods , you ’ve in all likelihood noticed that plants often develop in groups . The center of the group is obtuse and towards the edges , plants are located far apart . Narcissus bulbs are gentle to cultivate if you apply this method acting : fill a bucket with bulb and thrash them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered far away . Glossary : Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwestrefers to plant 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 plant life that retains some or most of its leafage throughout the year . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that organize near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : have bloom that last for an protracted period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of allow for foresighted lasting efflorescence because they are prolific , repeat blooper . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In gardening , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale of measurement measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is achromatic . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily suck up the most nutrients in the land . Some plants prefer more or less of sure nutrient , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Medium ShrubA medium bush is in the main between 3 and 6 feet magniloquent . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy look Landscape Uses , you will be able-bodied to pinpoint plants that are best suited for particular economic consumption such as treillage , border planting , or instauration . How - to : get the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bestow the garden into your home . While some emasculated peak have a tenacious vase lifespan , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treated when you first fetch them home can significantly increase how long they last .

The most important thing to consider is bring forth sufficient water taken up into the gash stem . Insufficient water can result in wilt and suddenly - lived flower . dented neck of roses , where the flower head droops , is the final result of poor pee intake . To maximise piddle consumption , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing system " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stem in warm water .

think back when the flush is cut , it is cut off from its food for thought supply . Once urine is take care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems by nature give the blossom with sugars . If you add a bit of dinero ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase pee , this will help feed the heyday stem and extend their vase life .

Bacteria will establish up in vase water and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , deepen the vase water often and make a new undercut in the stems every few days .

Floral preservatives , available from florist , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut bloom life . These descend in small packet and are generally usable where cut flowers are sold . If used in good order , these can extend the vase living of some mown flower 2 to 3 time when compared with just plain water system in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant come to to a plant life ’s ability to stomach photograph to an outside condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrive or prefers this post , but is able to adapt and continue its life cycle . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are small than bacteria , 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 disrupts the cubicle ’s functionality , outbound signs of a viral infection issue in a plant disease with symptoms such as abnormal or scrubby growth , damaged fruit , discolorations or spot .

Prevention and Control : Keep computer virus carriers such as aphids , leafhopper , and thrip under control . These plant eating insects diffuse viruses . virus can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant possible action ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . novel industrial plant should be checked , as well as tools and existing plants . utilise only certified seed that is deemed disease - free . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby circumvolve crops , not planting closely related plants in the same region every yr . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems hold in legion bud that will acquire and renew a plant when induce by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They originate to make the branch or twig longer . In some case they may give rise to a blossom . If you cut the peak of a arm and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to turn into side branches resulting in a stocky , bushier works . Lateral bud are lower down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf bond . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , result in a long , thin branch . Dormant bud may persist inactive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is turn off back . gloss : Ground CoverAground coveris any low grow flora that is set in a mass to breed the ground . Shrubs , vine , perennials , and annuals can all be considered ground report if they are aggroup in this fashion . Ground cover can beautify an sphere , help reduce soil erosion , and the need to weed . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before raw development begins with a complete fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .

Plant Images