In depth gardening advice from an expert gardener
Rhododendrons and azalea by London looks
In the last two posts(here and here), TheGardenLady talked about the hellebores and peonies in her garden, flowers that make people stop and ooh and aah. Today she will talk about some more flowers in her garden that have the WOW factor.  These flowers are rhododendrons and azaleas.
Rhododendron and Azaleas by David Le Masurier
Continue reading “People Enjoy Rhododendrons and Azaleas in TheGardenLady’s Garden”
Azaleas by Wilson (Army Gal)
Are you an azalea lover? Would you like to to see what is billed as the world’s largest azalea display? The azalea display is at Callaway Gardens located in Georgia. This beautiful garden was conceived and created by Cason J. Callaway and his wife Virginia Hand Callaway for the benefit of mankind. The purpose of the gardens is to provide a wholesome family environment where all people who visit may find beauty, relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world.
Callaway Gardens by jen and joe
TheGardenLady loves people who have such a noble purpose in life. And she hopes that readers of TheGardenLady have the opportunity to visit such a breath-taking garden.
‘Autumn Sunset’ and ‘Autumn Embers’ Encore Azaleas by pawightm
Fall is an ideal time to plant azaleas as well as Encore Azaleas! See here.
Plant azaleas as well as Encore Azaleas in fall to enjoy flowers until first frost and allow time for roots to establish without damage from extreme temperatures. In some areas, summer can be too hot to make planting azaleas fun, while fall is just right. Also, plants may appear dormant during winter, but they are working hard at creating stronger roots and new flower buds for spring.
Face to the sun by Quiltsalad
TheGardenLady received this question from Kareena.
I had someone plant flowers in my garden. I told them the types of flowers I like (dahlias, lilies, tulips). There are already 3 azalea bushes there. They planted 3 hydrangeas, 4 lilies, 4 dahlias. There is sun all day because I am at an end-unit. My question is: Will the flowers have a problem growing/staying alive with this combination and the all-day sunlight?
All the flowers that you mention, except for perhaps the azalea bushes, love sun. Usually azaleas like afternoon shade. Some Azaleas like Encore Azaleas do like all day sun. Since I do not know the type of azaleas that you have and because I cannot predict the intensity of this summer, one cannot say for sure if your azaleas will have a problem where they are planted. But since the 3 azaleas are already growing in the garden, I imagine that they have established good root systems and are happy where they are so they will continue thriving for you. Let us hope. Be sure to water the azaleas regularly and should there be a drought, be sure that you give the azalea bushes ample water.
Azaleas & Rhododendrons by Stones 55
Spring is a great time to plant azaleas and rhododendron. If you can’t plant them in the spring, early Fall planting is also recommended.
When you buy rhododendrons or azaleas, make sure you give them a good drink. They can remain in the pot or burlap for a long time if you give them a drink every couple of days or as the need exists.
RHODODENDRON BUSHES by m.m b
Choose the site carefully.
“Rhododendrons and azaleas are healthiest in light shade, especially under oaks and pines with the lower branches trimmed up. Do not choose a location near maples, elms, ashes or other trees with shallow competitive root systems. Some varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons may survive in full sun, but avoid planting them in a south, southwest or west exposure, especially if heat and light are reflected on the plants from a nearby building. In dense shade the plants tend to grow spindly and do not bloom profusely. Protection from winter’s cold drying winds is also desirable.
Planting soil should be acid with pH between 4.0 and 6.0. Avoid areas with old builder’s debris, particularly mortar which can raise the soil pH above the desirable range. Rhododendrons and azaleas require a well drained soil, free of any standing water. Do not plant rhododendrons under down spouts or at the edges of sidewalks and driveways because poor drainage, lime or salts may kill them. Do not plant in places where other rhododendrons have wilted and died because the site may still be contaminated with disease organisms. ” See here.
If you are planting a balled and burlapped plant, remove the wrappings. They used to say that you can leave the burlap on the root when planting, because the burlap will rot. But to really give your plant a good start, remove any wrappings, especially plastic or wiring. If you buy container-grown plants be sure to make several vertical slits about 1/2 ” deep cuts from top to bottom, evenly spaced around the root mass. This encourages new root growth.
TheGardenLady received this question from Skye:
Is it okay to plant Encore Azaleas (Autumn Sangria) in November in Dallas or do I need to wait until Spring?
Here is the answer from the spokespeople from Encore Azalea to this question:
Fall is a great time to plant, allowing the roots to get established during the winter before they concentrate on growing and blooming in the spring. But Encores can be planted at any time of the year, so long as you keep a watchful eye on young plants during the heat of the summer. During their first year in the ground when the root system is developing, azaleas are more thirsty than when full grown. Young plants will die quickly if the soil dries excessively.
TheGardenLady received this question on a post about acidic soil from Todd.
My yard had many oak trees in it. I have stopped letting leaves sit so I can start a decent yard. Could this be the reason grass is so difficult to grow?
If you want grass to grow on a lawn, it is good that you stop letting leaves sit on the grass. Grass loves sun. Even the so called shade grass doesn’t like a blanket of leaves covering because all grass needs light. And grass is a heavy feeder. Some kinds of grass need more fertilizer than others.
Grass really doesn’t like to have competition from tree roots.
You wrote that your yard HAD many oak trees in it. What does that mean? Did you chop the trees down? If you still have oak trees in your yard, know that oak trees are also heavy feeders. Their roots want the nutrients and the water to feed the trees. Tree roots are like pancakes- spread out. 90% of tree roots are in the top 3 feet of soil and 50-75% of feeder roots are in the top 1 foot of soil.
TheGardenLady received this question from Kevin.
I have a very small front area, very small, 2′x25′ with very little sun. I was thinking about some kind of ornamental grass for height and some other colorful flowers. Any ideas?
In order to give you a more precise answer, TheGardenLady would need to know your temperature zone and the amount of dryness or moisture in your front area. Without this information, here are some suggestions:
You seem interested in grasses. Most ornamental grasses need sun. Many are shade INTOLERANT. A few will tolerate light shade. See here.  But these do not bloom as well in shade. Sedges seem to be more tolerant of shade but some can grow too aggressively for your small area.
For a drier site there is Koeleria macrantha (syn. K. cristata) June grass which is a small, green, native clump grass with showy white flower panicles in June. A host for butterfly larvae. Shade tolerant and soil tolerant.
For a moist area there are two plants that might work:
Carex muskingumensis or Palm sedge is a slowly spreading plant with palm-like foliage that requires shade and moist conditions.
Also, Chasmanthium latifolium or Northern sea oats which is noted for its showy, drooping flowers and light green, upright, bamboo-like foliage. Flat green flowers will turn copper. Blooms well in shade and reseeds.
Also, consider hostas. The number of different hosta plants is so numerous that you can create a unique garden just with them alone. For your small area you can find miniature or small hostas. Plant variaged hostas or gold colored hostas to brighten the dark area.
Best shade tolerant colorful flowers would be annuals like impatiens and begonias.
If you want perennials consider Astilbe varieties, Greater Celandine (check to see if it is invasive in your area), Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Hearts), helleborus orientalis (Hellebore) and Ligularia dentata or Elephant ears. One doesn’t see Ligularia very often. It has large leaves. There is one with maroon-black leaves. Showy golden daisy like flowers appear in midsummer.
Lastly, consider an azalea. Azaleas will grow in shade.
This is the third post in a three part series on creating a meditation garden. You can see the first post about creating a meditation garden here, where I discussed some questions you need to answer first before you start building a meditation garden. In the second post on meditation gardens, I talked about creating a green meditation garden by using hosta lily plants.  In this post, I will discuss some other meditation garden ideas.
To add to the green meditation garden, consider interspersing the garden with ferns. There are numerous ferns for sites like you describe. Fern leaves flow so nicely in the breeze and some stay green in the winter when the hostas die back. Taller varieties would look lovely. A fern and hosta website is here.
If a monochromatic garden with just green does not appeal, consider planting a Japanese maple. But be sure to get the ones that do not grow too tall. Japanese maples give 3 seasons of color. Some turn a different shade in the fall.  See here.
Another tree that would look lovely if you have the space is the dogwood. But I would not consider the native dogwood, as much as TheGardenLady loves it, because it might not be hardy enough. I suggest the Korean dogwood, Cornus kousa. See here. I have only seen a white flower on it. But it has one of the most interesting fruits which makes it of interest for two seasons.
Continue reading “Creating a Meditation Garden – Part III – Adding Color”
TheGardenLady received a comment on her post Summer Care for Encore Azaleas from Mr. Gulius.
What should I do to my Encore Azaleas during winter month?
TheGardenLady sent this question o the people at Encore Azalea, and this is their answer:
As your Encores mature and get more established in their environment, they will be better able to withstand cold temperatures. Young plants are more susceptible to sudden, drastic drops in temperatures, and sustained cold weather (25 degrees or below).
Cold Protection
Mulch well (about 4 inches deep) in the fall. Reduce water for a
month or so before the first frost. Then, after a couple of hard
freezes, water well to provide moisture. This will help the plants to go dormant, or “harden off”.As you would with any outdoor ornamental plants, Encore Azaleas may need some extra protection during sudden freezes and extremely cold weather. Sudden, drastic drops in temperature are more damaging than a gradual decline, especially to newly planted shrubs.
Burlap, old blankets, or sheets (any cloth material) can be used to cover upper plants. It is recommended that you drive stakes in the ground around your Encore and drape the cloth cover over stakes. Foliage in contact with the cover can be injured, so try to minimize cover contact with plant.