Azalea Standard Shrub Mini Tree Low Maintenance Evergreen Plant Baring Red Spring Flowers 1 x or 2 x Azalea Japonica Standard Tree in a 2 Litre Pot (60-80cm Tall) by Thompson & Morgan (1)

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In winter, fill a seed flat filled with a mixture of sand and peat moss (or commercial seed-starter mix), moisten it, then sow the seeds over the surface and cover the tray with a clear plastic lid and place it in a warm, bright location, but not in direct sunlight. Conversely, if your soil is sandy, mix in one to two shovelfuls of peat moss. This will help retain moisture, and members of the Ericaceae family love the acidic nature of peat. Rosy Lights': This compact (4 to 6 feet) deciduous cold-hardy shrub blooms in late spring and features a sprightly flower in a rosy red color with hues of coral and blush. This is one of the 'Northern Lights' series of azalea-rhododendron hybrids. The flowers are borne in "trusses"—not as round as traditional rhododendrons but not as diffused as conventional azaleas. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7.

All evergreen azaleas are, in fact, properly classified as being part of the genus rhododendron. There are well over 600 different species of rhododendrons which can be grown outside in our UK climate and far more if one includes tropical species. From these have come many tens of thousands of hybrid rhododendrons. It is a vast genus and it has therefore suited gardeners to make life a little easier by commonly referring to them as ‘azaleas’. The dripline is an imaginary circle that extends from the furthest branch tip all the way around the plant. Use this as a guide when digging up young shrubs – root growth is typically contained within the dripline.

2 litre Potted Plants

Softwood cuttings: Commercial propagation is by means of softwood cuttings taken in early spring and rooted under mist propagation. Cuttings needa good level of warmth at the base toroot successfully. The amateur gardener is more likely to be successful if using a small electric propagator with bottom heat. Spring layered plants can be transplanted into the garden in the fall of the same year. But with either spring- or fall-layered plants, waiting a year or two before transplanting is better. Lavender – Browse our range of lavender! Typically featuring colours ranging from blues and purples through to pinks, lavenders have a beautiful scent and can be used as an herb. Lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family. Place them in a sun-loving area of your garden for best results. Use them in areas that need a little bit of colour and to increase the visit of pollinators, such as bees. Evergreen azaleas are easy to root as softwood new growth cuttings in June when the new growth has not hardened off and is still soft and bendy. These should be rooted with bottom heat and potted on the following spring. Evergreen azaleas seldom set much, if any, seed. Mugs & Cups – There is nothing more relaxing than a hot cup of something… tea, coffee or whatever takes your fancy. Whether you are enjoying some time to yourself or sharing the moment with family and friends, pouring your preferred beverage into a beautifully designed mug or cup adds an extra level of luxury to this time honoured daily ritual.

Evergreen – Evergreen azaleas keep some of their leaves over winter. These are mostly species from Japan and other parts of Asia. They have several different flower forms. A popular patented evergreen variety is the Encore azalea, which blooms multiple times in a single year. Encore Azaleas are best grown in a sunny position to ripen the wood and to encourage autumn flowering. Summer and autumn flowering should improve with age, so don't be too disappointed if flowering is initially a bit sparse." Petal blight, leaf spots, powdery mildew, rust, and root rot are the most common azalea diseases. Planting in areas with good drainage and conserving water by applying mulch usually helps reduce the chances of fungal diseases and plant damage due to these problems. Choosing Azalea Plants

Azalea Standard Japanese Red

Evergreen azaleas are perfectly hardy and easy to grow. They do best in moist soil conditions in locations where they get at least some dappled shade for part of the day from nearby tall trees. Full shade is not a good idea. Evergreen azaleas do need wind protection from cold east winds which can defoliate them a little and sometimes scorch and kill them as small plants. They may need watering in dry periods for the first year or two. You can see a selection of our deciduous azaleas in the photographs below this article where we have attempted to show how they actually grow in gardens.

Harden off plants in May by transferring them from warm to cooler conditions and standing them outdoors when danger of frost is past. Plunge the pots to the rim in a bed of ericaceous peat-free compostto avoid the danger of frequent drying out. Mix in plenty of organic material such as well-aged compost, leaf mold, or shredded pine bark until the soil mixture is one-third to one-half organic humus. Provide winter protection such as a mulch of pine needles or straw or a cloche to protect against frost as needed. Potted shrubs are best planted in spring or fall. For a showy display, they require the right amount of light, and soil with an acidic pH that’s moist and well-draining.There has been quite a lot of consumer interest in Encore Azaleas since they were seen on TV in 2015 at the Augusta National Golf Club in America for the Golf Masters,” David told me. “Unfortunately, the first plants introduced to Europe were not hardy enough, with our cooler summers the wood didn't harden enough for winter. More recent selections have been trialled for Northern European conditions and seem more suitable. Ideally, you’ll need to take semi-hardwood cuttings. This is the wood that’s still flexible, midway between tender new shoots and mature wood. Golden Lights': The bright golden-orange blooms on this 'Northern Lights' cultivar offer a dramatic color for the spring landscape. Cold-hardy (USDA zones 3 to 7) and compact (3 to 6 feet), the flower trusses are flat and contain ten flowers in shades ranging from butter yellow to orange with salmon-pink highlights. Whatever the soil texture, before planting it’s beneficial to generously mix compost with the existing topsoil, adding it at a ratio of one part compost to one part topsoil. If the plants are root bound with a dense mat of fibrous roots visible on the surface of the pot, use a clean, sterile knife to slash the mat in four to six spots. Cut about two inches deep and space the slashes evenly around the root ball.

These Encore azaleas were originally developed using a variety of Rhododendron oldhamii named ‘Fourth Of July’. Rhododendron oldhamii is a common red-flowered species native to Taiwan where it’s known to sometimes bloom as late as October. ‘Fourth Of July’ was selected from seedlings grown from seed collected in Taiwan in 1968.When the tiny seedlings have developed two sets of true leaves, transplant them into small individual pots. Common pests that can affect azaleas include nematodes, mealybugs, aphids, bark scale, spider mites, and lace bugs. Lace bugs are more likely to target shrubs that are grown in areas of full sun. The azalea leaf miner ( Caloptilia azaleella) is a much more serious pest, and dealing with an infestation may require removal of infected plants. Apply a generous three to four-inch layer of organic mulch– pine bark, pine needle straw, shredded leaves, or straw. Create a mulch-free well around the stem base to keep the wood dry. This helps prevent rot and keeps rodents from nibbling the bark.