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Dan West Garden Center April 2008 Newsletter© Azaleas and a little about Hostas Azaleas are one of the most popular and diverse group of shrubs available. Flowers colors include white, pink, orange, red, lavender, purple, with hundreds of shades of each and many variegated types also. Flowers range in size from 1 to 4 and plant heights varying from 12 to 8 or more. With early bloomers starting in March to late bloomers in May and June and Encores with fall color, you can have color most of the season. The one thing all evergreen azaleas have in common is the need for good drainage. They will not tolerate wet feet or poor soil aeration. Some varieties tolerate more sun than others, but most fare best in partial to full shade. Plant azaleas high, at least 2 above your existing soil line and bring the soil up to, but not on top of, the rootball. For best results, use finely ground pine bark or cotton hull compost as your soil amendment when planting and mix about 1/3 of your amendment with 2/3s of your existing soil. Pruning should be done just after flowering and not after July 1st, as next years flower buds are starting to set. Mulch with pine straw or hardwood mulch. When you get the urge to mulch again, rake out all the old mulch before applying the new.
So, heres more information than you probably want to know about the azaleas most frequently seen in the Mid South. Flower size and color, plant height, blooming time and azalea type is included on most. We either have or can get most of these varieties but due to seasonality and grower availabilities, not all varieties may be available all the time.
Back Acres & Glenn Dales - Ben Morrison developed the Glenn Dale azaleas when he worked for the U.S.D.A. He retired in 1956 to southern Mississippi and continued hybridizing and these varieties are known as Back Acre hybrids. These azaleas tend to be mid to late season bloomers, have large flowers (many of which are double or bicolor), grow 3 - 6 tall and tolerate heat and cold well.
Deciduous - These azaleas lose their leaves in the winter and are either native or hybrids with native parentage. They vary from 3 to 20 tall. Some have fragrant honeysuckle like flowers, but many have huge flowers in striking colors like yellow and orange. They need more sun than the evergreen varieties.
Encores - Through hybridization, these azaleas produce flowers throughout the growing season with the heaviest bloom in the spring, good fall bloom and many produce sporadic summer flowers as well. Most varieties mature at 4 or less and bloom better in some sunlight. With proper care, many varieties can be grown in full sun, but still should be protected from winter winds that may dessicate the flower buds.
Girards - Developed for the northern U.S., the Girards tend to be very cold hardy, have large flowers, outstanding foliage and most are short, compact plants.
Kurumes - These are the early small flowered varieties that are so full of flowers that often you cannot see foliage. The kurumes tend to be slower growing, compact plants.
Robin Hill - These azaleas have satsuki parentage. They tend to be dwarf plants with large flowers but more cold hardy than many satsuki azaleas.
Satsuki - Translates Fifth Month - These azaleas tend to be low growing, most have large to very large flowers and many produce multiple flower colors on the same plant.
Southern Indica - These are the large azaleas you see in southern gardens. Most will ultimately exceed 6 tall, they have large flowers and their growth tends to be more open and airy.
The following varieties are dwarf, 3 or less.
Aikoku - White, purple-pink variegation - 3 - May - Satsuki Amaghasa (Ama gasa) - Large orange red - 3 - May - Satsuki Carrie Amanda - Single white flower with pink border to 18, Schroeder hybrid. Chinzan - Deep pink w/ darker blotch, 3, early May, Satsuki. Congo - 3 purple, May, 3, Robin Hill. Dorothy Hayden - 3 white with green throat, May, 1, Robin Hill. Dorothy Rees - 3 white with green throat, May, 2, Robin Hill. Eishi - 2 white with occasional purple flecks, May, 3, Satsuki. Flame Creeper - 2 single orange red, May, 2, Satsuki. Frosted Orange - 3 white with orange border, late May, to 3, Harris. Fuji Mori - 1.5 soft pink flowers, pointed petals, late May, 2, Satsuki. Getsutoku - 3 white with variegations of pink and salmon with occasional solid pink or salmon, 3, May, Satsuki Gillie - 3 orange red, late April, 3, Robin Hill Gumpo - Pink - 3 pink, 2, May - Satsuki Pink Gumpo azaleas come in a number of variations. Cultivars include a variegated form which is mottled white, a dark pink, a light pink and Fancy pink which appears to be more ruffled. Gumpo is an Americanized version of Gun po, the correct name. Gumpo - White - 3 pure ruffled white, May, 2, Satsuki. Gyokudo - 1.5 white with orange tips, April, 2, Satsuki. Gyokushin - 3 light pink w/red blotch, May, 3, Satsuki. Herbert - 2 deep purple, March, often nearly deciduous, 3 Gable. Hi gasa - 5 deep rose pink, May, 3, Satsuki. Hilda Niblett - 3 soft pink with paler edges, May, 3, Robin Hill. Ishi No Hara - 3 purplish pink with purple stripe, May, 3, Satsuki. Johga - 3 white with pink variegations, red blotch, May, 3, Satsuki. Juko - 3 light pink, speckled dark pink, with some solid dark pink, 3, May, Satsuki. Kinpai - 3 white with variations of coral to orange border, some solid coral or orange flowers, to 3, May, Satsuki. Minato - 2 white with purplish pink border, May, 3, Satsuki. Nuccios Wild Cherry - 3 red to 3, May, Satsuki hybrid. Okina-nishiki - 3 orange, May, 3, Satsuki. Osakazuki - 2 deep pink, darker blotch, May, 3, Satsuki. Pink Cascade - Salmon pink, 18, Late April - Harris Red Ruffles - 3 deep brilliant red, hose in hose, early April, 3, Brooks. Red Slippers - 3 fire engine red, April, 3, Back Acre. Roddy - 3 white, spreading habit to 3, Robin Hill. Shugetsu - 4 white/deep purple border, few solid purple, 3, May, Satsuki. Sir Robert - 3 pale pink, spreading to 3, Robin Hill. Wakaebisu - 3 shell pink, May, 3, Satsuki. Watchet - 4 light pink, late April, 3, Robin Hill. Wendy - 3 strong pink, May. 3, Robin Hill.
The following varieties are mid-size plants, growing 3 to 6 tall.
Artic Rose - Deep rose pink, variegated foliage takes on a purple winter cast, 3 - 4, Early April blooms, Girard Ben Morrison - Scarlet fades to white edge, to 6 - Glenn Dale Buccaneer - Orange red, 4, Mid April - Glenn Dale Christina - Double pink, 4, late April - Girard. Christmas Cheer - Red, hose in hose, 3 , March - Kurume. Conversation Piece - White with pink flecks and stripes, to 6, Mid to late April, Robin Hill. Coral Bells - Pink, hose in hose, to 6, late March -Kurume Corsage - 3 single orchid pink, early April, 4 - Gable Delaware Valley - 2 single, white, 6 - mucronatum form Elise Norfleet - 3 white with salmon red border, May, to 4, Back Acre. Elsie Lee - 2 semi double to double lavender, April, to 5, Shammerello. Fashion - 3 rose salmon with darker blotch, April, to 6, Glenn Dale. A dwarf form Petite is also available, to 4. The Girard Hybrids Christina - 3 dark ruffled pink, April, 5. Crimson - 2 crimson red, April, 4. Fuchsia - 3 reddish purple, April, 4. Hotshot - 3 deep fiery orange, April, 3. Kathy - 3 white, May, 3 -4. Pleasant White - 3 white, May, 3-4. Purple - 2 deep purple, April, 3. Renee Michelle - 3 fluorescent pink, April, 4. Roberta - 3 double rose red, April, 4. Rose - 3 deep rose red, April, 4. Sandra Ann - 3 ruffled purple, to 5. Scarlet - 2 deep scarlet red, April, 4.
Glacier - 3 white, green throat, Early April, to 6, Glenn Dale. Glory - 2 peach pink hose in hose, late March, 4, Pericat. Greta - 3 wavy dark pink, May, 4, Robin Hill. Gwenda - 3 pale pink, May, 4, Robin Hill. Hampton Beauty - 2 white with carmine tips and red blotch, late March, 4, Pericat. Hardy Gardenia - 3 double white flowers, reblooms, April, 4, Linwood. Hershey Red - 2 bright red, hose in hose, mid March, 5, Kurume. H. H. Huame - 2 white hose in hose, mid March, 5, Hime Kagami - 1 white with pink stripes, mid-March, 4Kurume/Overlook. Hino Crimson - 1 single, crimson red, 4, March - Kurume Hinodegiri - 1 watermelon red, mid March, 5, Kurume Hershey Red - 2 bright red, hose in hose, mid March, 5, Kurume. Illusion - 2 dark pink with darker blotch, late April, 6, Glenn Dale. Jennifer - 2 red, April 4, Southern Indica. Karen - 2 bright purple, April, 4, Kaempferi. Lavender Lass - 2 purple with wine spotted throat, April, 5, Aromi evergreen. Macrantha - 3 orange red, late May, 5, R. indicum form. Macrantba (Pink) - 2 rich pink sport of Macrantha. Marian Lee - 3 white, red border, late April, to 4, Back Acre. Martha Hitchcock - 3 white with magenta border, April, 4, Glenn Dale. Massasoit - 2 bright red, mid March, 4, Allen/Kurume. Midnight Flare - 3 dark red, mid April, 4, Harris. Mildred (Mae) - 1 purple, March, 4, Gable. Moby Dick - 3 white with green blotch, April, 4, Schroeder. Mothers Day - Nearly 3 rosy red, early April, 4, Hahn/Kurume. Nancy (of Robin Hill) - 4 light pink, red blotch, late April, 4, Robin Hill. Nuccios Wild Cherry - 3 cherry red, early May, 4, Nuccio. Olga Niblett - 2 white with red flecks, hose in hose, May, 4, Robin Hill. Pink Pearl - 2 soft pink, rose blotch, hose in hose, mid March, 5, Kurume. Pink Ruffles - 3 rose pink, hose in hose, March, 6, Rutherford. Poukhanense - 2 orchid lavender, March, nearly deciduous, 5, R. poukhanense. Also available in a dwarf form to 3. Prudence - 2 deep rose pink, April, 5, Glenn Dale. Rosea - 2 double, rose like pink flower, to 4, Indica hybrid. Rosebud - 2 medium pink double hose-in-hose, 4, Gable. Rose Greeley - 2 white hose in hose, March, 4, Gable. Sherwood Cerise - 1 cerise flowers, 4 - 5, March -Sherwood/Kurume Sherwood Red - 2 rich orange red, mid March, 5, Sherwood/Kurume. Snow - 1 pure white hose in hose, mid March, Kurume. Sweetheart Supreme - 2 blush pink, darker blotch, semi double, March, 5, Pericat. Tradition - 1 bright light pink, hose in hose, mid March, 4, Kurume. Treasure - 3 white, late March, to 6, Glenn Dale. Trouper - 2 orange red, April, 5, Glenn Dale. Vespers - 3 white with lavender stripes, April, 5, Glenn Dale
The following varieties are large plants, growing 6 tall or more..
Amy - Soft pink, hose in hose, 6, mid April - Glenn Dale Copperman - 3 single copper orange, 6, late April to early May, - Glenn Dale Formosa - 4 single magenta purple, mid April, 6+, Southern Indica. Formosa (Pink) - 3 pink. Reddish throat, April, 6+, Southern Indica. Formosa (Red) - 3 purplish red, April, 6+, Southern Indica. George L. Tabor - 4 single pale orchid, magenta blotch, 6+, Southern Indica. G. G. Gerbing (Mrs.) - 4 single white, 6+, Southern Indica. Judge Solomon - 4 watermelon pink, early April, 6+, Southern Indica. President Clay - 3 brick red, darker blotch, 6+, mid April - Southern Indica. Pride of Mobile - 2 deep watermelon pink, April, 6, Southern Indica. Southerm Charm - 3 bright pink, April, 5, Southern Indica. Stewartsonian - 2 bright orange, March, 6+, Gable.
The deciduous varieties are not as popular but have striking flowers. Most deciduous varieties need at least 6 hours of sun. Unfortunatly, we seldom see the specie azaleas available, but we do stock many of the larger flowered selections.
SPECIE AZALEAS Florida - Fragrant pale yellow, orange to red flowers, to 10 tall, blooms AprilMay - R. austrinum Piedmont - White to pink flowers in March-April, to 12, more tolerant of shade than most deciduous types - Rhododendron canescens. Plumleaf - 2 orange red, mid to late summer, 8, R. prunifolium. Swamp - 2 white flowers, June to July, 8, R. viscosum. Sweet - White, fragrant, likes moist soil - 8 - 20 - blooms early summer - R. arborescen.
CULTIVARS, HYBRIDS OR SELECTIONS Admiral Semmes -Yellow - 8 - 10 - April - R. austrinum Clear Creek - Yellow, 8- 20, Aromi hybrid. Dons Variegated - 2 orange/maroon flowers with variegated foliage, April, 12, R. austrinum hybrid. Goldstrike - Yellow with orange blotch, April, 6+. Great Balls of Fire - Striking orange flowers, Exbury hybrid. Red Pepper - Orange red flowers, to 15, Aromi hybrid. Pink Carousel - 3 salmon pink with yellow blotch, to 12. Select Yellow - Yellow flowering Piedmont. Spring Sensation - Large pink flowers to 12, Aromi hybrid. Sunny Side Up - Bright yellow to 15, Aromi hybrid. Sunrise - Orange yellow to 15, Aromi hybrid. Suntruck - Lemon yellow to 15, Aromi hybrid. Varnadoe Pink - Clusters of 2 pink, honeysuckle like flowers, to 10, R. canescens.
The Northern Lights series.
Golden Lights - 2 golden yellow flowers, moderately fragrant, to 4, April, mildew resistant. Mandarin Lights - large ruffled bright orange to reddish orange flowers, lightly scented, to 8, May. Orchid Lights - 2 pinkish lavender, to 3, April. Rosy Lights - Large rosey pink, t0 8, April. Western Lights - Large clear pink, to 5, April. White Lights - Large white with yellow blotch, fragrant, to 5, April.
Encores are repeat to continuous bloomers. They have excellent spring and fall displays and quite often scattered flowers throughout the summer. They prefer more sun to perform at their best, preferably morning sun and protected from the hottest afternoon sun. However, I have seen them bloom and look very good in afternoon sun with proper care. It usually takes two full growing seasons before we see them bloom consistantly.
Autumn . . . Amethyst - Single dark pink to purple, 4 x 4. Angel - 3 pure white, 5 x 4 . Belle - Ruffled pale pink, magenta freckles, 5 x 4. Bravo - 2 single dark orange red, 3 x 4. Carnation - 2.5 double medium pink, 4 x 4. Carnival - Medium pink, heavy summer flowering, 3 x 4. Cheer - Dark pink, 3 x 4. Chiffon - Light pink with purple center, 3 x 3. Coral - Light orange pink with fuchsia center, 3 x 3. Debutante - 3 light pink to peach, 4 x 4. Embers - Semi double deep orange, 3 x 4. Empress - Semi double medium to light pink, 4 x 3. Monarch - Semi double dark orange pink with red freckles, 5 x 4. Moonlight - Single white, yellow throat, 5 x 4. Princess - Semi double medium pink, 4 x 3. Rouge - 2 deep red pink, 5 x 4. Royalty - Dark purple, 5 x 4. Ruby - 2 ruby red, 3 x 3. Sangria - 4 dark pink, 5 x 4. Starlite - White with pink flecks and stripes, 5 x 4. Sundance - Deep pink, 3 x 4. Sunset - Soft orange red, 5 x 4. Sweetheart - Soft pink to near white with lavender freckles, 5 x 4. Twist - White to light pink with purple stripes, 5 x 4.
Lacebugs are the main insect problem on azaleas. They suck the green out of the foliage from the underside and leave little black specks (droppings) to let you know theyve been there. The more sun they get, the more likely you are to have damage. Any good insecticide, used according to label instructions, should control them, but youll get the best control with a systemic (acephate or imidicloprid) that is absorbed into the plant.
Any questions?
Yes, you sir in the Hawaiian print shirt.
Ive heard you should wait to fertilize them after they bloom, why is that?
The flower buds are at the tip of last years growth. Especially on mid to late season bloomers, a quick release fertilizer would force a lot of new growth that would cover the flower. Use a quick release after they bloom and again around June 1. A slow release fertilizer can be used anytime, even in the fall, to improve foliage color and plant vigor.
Yes, the young lady in blue.
I have an azalea that has pink and white flowers. Is that common?
Many varieties are unstable and produce a variety of flowers. Festive is a white with purple flecks that sometimes sports a limb of pure purple flowers. Many satsuki varieties produce white, pink, red and variegated flowers on the same plant. Often these sports are propagated to form new cultivars. Mrs. G.G. Gerbing is a white sport of George L. Tabor.
And you sir.
I have an azalea with thick, fleshy leaves. What is that?
Thats azalea leaf gall. Its caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii. The fleshy leaves become hard as the season progresses and covered by white mold. The spores produced are spread by late spring wind and rain to infect leaves that show symptoms next spring. The disease is usually worse after very mild winters. Cut off and discard any infected flowers and leaves. Spray the plant, and ground around the plant, with mancozeb after removing the infected tissue. If youve had it last year, spray now as a preventative.
Yes, Hawaiian guy again.
Whats the best fertilizer to use?
Holly-Tone is an excellent fertilizer if you want a slow release, nearly organic, product for year-round use or ferti-lomes Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron food is great if you want to push them a little faster.
But Ive been fertilizing a couple of times a year and they just dont seem to be growing?
What are you using?
Miracid.
Check your pH. Azaleas prefer a pH of 5 to 6, with 5.5 being optimal. Often weve seen the pH get too low, in the 4 to 4.5 range. When its that low, nitrogen is locked up in a form unavailable to the plant. Raise the pH, and they feed again.
One more question.
The new growth on my azaleas is yellow, like its lacking iron, but Ive given them liquid iron and its not improving!
Drainage is the culprit. Leaves are yellow and often smaller than normal. Iron is not available to the plant when there is excessive soil moisture. This can be caused by unusally wet weather but more often from an increasing layer of decomposed organic matter on the root zone which slows drying and air movement. This layer can be from decomposed mulch or leaves. Rake everything out, back to the feeder roots on the surface, and then replace the mulch. It should be coarse and not more than 2 inches deep.
Hosta
One of my favorite plants. Last month we listed some of the many, many varieties we grow and stock. We are often asked Which ones are fragrant? Which ones are sun tolerant? And last but not least Which ones are slug resistant?
So heres a list to get you started. . FRAGRANT VARIETIES APHRODITE HONEYBELLS FRAGRANT BOUQUET INVINCIBLE FRIED BANANAS IRON GATE DELIGHT FRIED GREEN TOMATOES ROYAL STANDARD GUACOMOLE SO SWEET SLUG RESISTANT VARIETIES AUGUST MOON FRANCES WILLIAMS BIG DADDY GREAT EXPECTATIONS BLUE ANGEL HADSPEN BLUE BLUE DIMPLES HALCYON BLUE CADET INVINCIBLE BLUE MAMMOTH JUNE BLUE MOON KROSSA REGAL BLUE UMBRELLAS SHADE FANFARE BRESSINGHAM BLUE SIEBOLDIANA ELEGANS BRIGHT LIGHTS SUM AND SUBSTANCE SUN TOLERANT HOSTAS ALBO MARGINATA HONEYBELLS AUGUST MOON HOOSIER HARMONY BLUE MAMMOTH INVINCIBLE BLUE UMBRELLAS JUNE CAPTAIN KIRK KROSSA REGAL FRAGRANT BOUQUET PAULS GLORY FRANCEE PEARL LAKE FRIED GREEN TOMATOES ROYAL STANDARD GINKGO CRAIG SO SWEET GOLD STANDARD SUGAR AND CREAM GUACOMOLE SUM AND SUBSTANCE HADSPEN BLUE SUN POWER HALCYON SHADE FANFARE STRIPTEASE
MOST HOSTAS LOOK THEIR BEST IF PROTECTED FROM THE HOTTEST SUN.
Thats it for today. Go forth and plant things! Remember to take time, everyday, to walk through the garden and until next month, come visit us at Dan West often!
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