Plant Talk |
CAUTION:The information and recommendations in this article are applicable to Harnett County, NC and may not apply in other areas.
AZALEAS & CAMELLIAS
Perhaps writers of gardening columns slowly develop a permanent case of spring fever, because here it is only February and I am anticipating spring flowers. But I have already seen camellias in bloom. And in a world of constant change, these two beautiful plants fill me with a sense of nostalgia and tradition, and memories of growing up in North Carolina. As most North Carolina gardeners know, they are a wonderful addition to any landscape, and will perform beautifully with a minimum of care.
Azaleas and camellias are similar in that they both prefer partial shade and acidic soil (low pH). Since lime raises the pH of the soil, in most cases it should not be applied to these plants. There are fertilizers which are labelled specifically for azaleas, and these contain ingredients which create more acidic conditions in the soil. Beware of over fertilizing, as this can cause excessive foliage growth, leaving the plant more susceptible to damage (send in a soil sample to be sure of pH and fertilizer needs).
They should be planted in a well-drained site, as wet conditions can cause phytophthora root rot, a fungus disease which can kill them. If your soil is mostly clay, it is best to plant in a raised bed to improve drainage in the root zone. Another good precaution in clay soils is to plant varieties which have some resistance to root rot (I can provide you with a list). After planting, they will benefit from a 3-4 inch layer of mulch.
As mentioned in my previous column, the sasanqua camellia is an excellent landscape plant. It provides beautiful blooms in October and November, when few other plants are flowering.
One pest to watch out for in Azaleas is the lace bug. These insects are no more than 1/8 of an inch long, and have lacy wings. They cause the leaves to have a yellow spotted or blotchy appearance. This is caused by the insect sucking nutrients from the leaf. Eventually the infested leaves will turn completely yellow and drop off the plant. They can be treated with a number of insecticides, including summer oils. The key is to begin treatment as soon as you see the insect, and be sure to apply to the undersides of the leaves, as this is where they feed. When using any pesticide, be sure to read and follow all instructions which come with the product.
The best time to prune azaleas and camellias is in the spring, after they have bloomed. Since they form their flower buds the previous season, if you prune earlier you will be destroying this years flower display.
If you would like more information on pruning, you might like to attend a free lecture and slide presentation on "Pruning Trees and Shrubs". This will be held on February 20th, 7:00 p.m. at the Harnett County Public Library in Lillington. Please call me if you need directions. This is the first in a series of gardening lectures I will be giving throughout the year at various locations, so call me for the complete schedule. Topics will include lawn care, composting, vegetable gardening, and others. Back to Plant Talk Index
www.ces.ncsu.edu/harnett/pubs/planttalk/planttlk.html