The sheep were sick last night, and many of them are still far from well, hardly able to leaves camp, coughing, groaning, looking wretched and pitiful, all from eating leaves of the blessed azalea. So, at least, say the shepherd and the Don. Having but little grass since they left the plains, they are starving, and so eat anything green they can get. Sheep men cal azalea sheep-poison, and wonder what the Creator was thinking about when He made it…
John Muir, My First Summer In The Sierra, 1911
If you have ever seen a well planned azalea garden which can show color from October through June, then you know what He was thinking. Azaleas are an extremely versatile and showy group of plants. They can be used in pots, mass plantings, as specimens, in tree form, espalliered or as hedges, and thus can find a place in almost any garden.
The name Azalea comes from the Greek azaleos meaning to be parched. Linneus, when he named the shrub, believed that it thrived only in the dry, rocky woods of its native habitat. Azaleas were first introduced to Europe in the 1600s by the Dutch East India Company, along with a boatload of other Japanese plants. Subsequent cultivation has improved their appearance from woody shrubs to lush, colorful ones.
Azaleas are actually part of the 1000 specie Rhododendron family, 70 of which are know as Azaleas. Cultural requirements are basically the same for each. Acid, organic soil with both good drainage and moisture retention is essential. Fifty per cent peat moss, redwood compost, ground bark or leaf mold, added to 30% topsoil and 20% sand, makes a good light mix. Although Tom Nuccio, one of our southern California growers, prefers 1/3 perlite to 2/3 peat in his beautiful azalea pots.
In planting, dig a hole about 15 deep and 18-24 wide and place the rootball no deeper than it was in the container. For areas with alkaline soil (i.e. Marin County adobe), a bed raised a couple of feet works well. Mulch around the crown to protect the roots.
Don't over-fertilize your azaleas — 3-4 times between March and September using an acid-based food is adequate. However a fall feed of a 0-10-10 formula fertilizer will help flower buds to form. If the plant becomes chlorotic (yellow leaves with dark green veins) add chelated iron until the foliage greens again.
Azaleas can be pruned during peak bloom for cut flowers or any time thereafter until about August. A good yearly pinching of new growth can greatly improve the shape of the shrub.
Most azaleas will take a lot of sun, but partial shade from tall trees or an east or north exposure is the best location. The cooler the area, the more sun they will take, although all varieties will benefit from a wash of their foliage during hot weather.
Adapted from Bayviews Magazine - Gardening - March 1980, by Tom Perry
Belgian Indica Azaleas
These are hybrids originally developed for hothouse forcing but survive well in areas where the winters don't drop below 20-30*F. They have lush, green foliage reaching 2-3' and are profuse spring bloomers.
A few favorites are: California Peach (salmon), California Sunset (pink & white), Chimes (red), Happy Days (violet-purple), Plum Crazy (lilac-pink), Rose Glow (rose-red)
Southern Indica Azaleas
This is a variety selected from the Belgian indicas for increased sun tolerance. These are the so-called "Sun Azaleas" which grow more quickly, taller and more vigorously than the other azaleas. This group is hardy to 10-20* and is someshat less delicate and more open growing than others.
Some popular ones are: Brilliant (red), Duc de Rohan (salmon), Fielder's White (white), Formosa/Phoenicia (purple), George L. Tabor (lavender), Glory of Sunnyhill (orange), Little John (burgandy foliage with pink blooms), Mistrial (pink), Pride of Dorking (red), Pink Lace (pink), Red Ruffles (red), and Southern Charm (hot pink), White Grandeur (white), White Lace (white)
This is another greenhouse variety that is also good in gardens down to 20*. These compact azaleas grow 2-4' and bushy, displaying flowers resembling a cross between Belgian indicas and Kurumes.
Some of these are: Alaska (white), Dorothy Gish (red), L.J. Bobbink (pink-lavender), Rose Queen (pink), and White Gish (white)
Other Hybrid Azaleas
BROOKS HYBRIDS - developed in Modesto for heat resistance, compact growth and large flowers: Madonna (white)
Dwarf Azalea Varietes
These varieties make compact, twiggy shrubs with small, dense, boxwood-like foliage. These mounding shrubs are covered with somewhat smaller flowers in a spectacular spring display. Although hardy to 5-10*, Kurumes thrive in milder climates where they get some protection.
Among these are: Avalanche (white), Coral Bells (pink), Hexe (crimson), Hino-Crimson (bright red), Seraphim (purple), Sherwood Orchid (violet), Singing Fountain (salmon), Snow (white), and Ward's Ruby (red)
This group includes Gumpo and Satsuki varieties and is made up of low growing, true dwarf and trailing shrubs. They are hardy to 5* and have large flowers which are late in blooming, often into June.
They include: Getsutoku (white/pink), Gumpo (white), Gumpo Oink (pink), and Hi-Gasa (bight pink), Nuccio's Wild Cherry (red)
- Fruit Trees We have many varieties of Fruit Trees. Most will be bare root but some are in containers, same quality just a year more mature.
- Azaleas Azaleas are an extremely versatile and showy group of plants. They can be used in pots, mass plantings, as specimens, in tree form, espalliered or as hedges, and thus can find a place in almost any garden.
- Bamboo Bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world. They are capable of growing 39 in. or more per day.
- Boxwood Boxwood are commonly grown as hedges and for topiary.
- Citrus Citrus is very popular genus of flowering plants. The most well known examples are the oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes.
- Deciduous Magnolias Magnolia is very beautiful and diverse genus of flowering plants, therefore it's widely used for decorative purposes.
- Dogwood and Magnolia Many species of Dogwoods are used in ornamental horticulture, and some trees have edible fruit.
- Fire Resistance Plants Fire-resistant plants suffer little damage during a characteristic fire regime. These include large trees whose flammable parts are high above surface fires.
- Hydrangea Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants, grown for their large flowerheads. They can be either deciduous or evergreen, though the widely cultivated temperate species are all deciduous.
- Japanese Maple Japanese maple is ideal for small gardens. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching heights of 6–10 m, rarely 16 m
- Fern Decorative ferns are easy to grow and give exciting contrast in foliage, form and colour in your garden.
- Lagerstroemia Lagerstroemia quickly gains popularity as a great way to add nonstop color to small spaces and container gardens.
- Lavender It is widely applied in many fields: as an ornamental plant, in culinary, medicine, for dried flower arrangements etc.
- Leptospermum The common name of Leptospermum (tea-tree) derives from the practice of early settlers of soaking the leaves of several species in boiling water to make a tea substitute.
- Nandina It is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and requires moderate to low water.
- Olive Trees The olive tree has been cultivated for olive oil, fine wood, olive leaf, and the olive fruit. But also you can use it for your garden.
- Ornate Grass Ornate grass is a fashionable element of modern landscape design. They are able to stand any weather, so grow in your garden all year round.
- Palms & Yuccas Tied to their stunning architecture, these amazing plants will make a huge impact on any garden.
- Phormium Phormium is an herbaceous perennial plant. They are usually darkish green but sometimes have coloured edges and central ribs.
- Pieris Pieris is commonly grown as ornamental plants, valued for year-round interest due to bright red new growth in early spring, chains of small, white flowers in mid-spring, and buds that remain on the plant through the winter.
- Rosemary Rosemary is considered easy to grow for beginner gardeners, and is pest-resistant. So numerous cultivars have been selected specially for garden use.
- Roses Rose is the most popular ornamental plant ащк gardener. It's also widely used in perfumery, cosmetology, medicine, cookery, flora.