The First Blooms of Spring, Always make my heart sing by Tammy & Susan

The First Blooms of Spring, Always make my heart sing by Tammy & Susan

Rhododendrons & Azaleas

Site Selection ½ day of sun Well protected from winter wind North or east side of house or fence or in densely planted area Well drained

Soil Preparation Prefer acidic soils Remove all existing soil making a planting area of 18 deep and 3ft wide Replace with a mix of 2 parts peat, 2 parts pine needles(or fine bark mulch), 1 part sand and 1 part good garden soil. Leave soil 2-3 above the existing grade Plant root ball at new grade & mulch with 2-3 bark mulch

Watering Water regularly Like to be moist but not saturated Less water given more frequently is best

Fertilizing Apply a higher nitrogen fertilizer, such as Evergreen Fertilizer in May after flowering to promote new growth. Apply a higher phosphorus fertilizer such as Ultra Bloom in June Don't fertilizer after June If leaves are yellowish in appearance then add one application of Chelated Iron

Pruning Rarely require pruning If you do prune do not prune in fall, winter or spring. You will remove the flower buds Prune immediately after flowering

Winter Care Most hardy zone 3 to zone 4 varieties do not require additional winter protection. If you want to cover use a covering of peat moss or flax straw

PJM Rhododendron

Ramapo Rhododendron

Nova Zembla Rhododendron

Northern Hi Lights Azalea

Orchard Lights Azalea

Rosy Lights Azalea

Mandarin Lights Azalea

Golden Lights Azalea

Blue Moon Wisteria Vine

Site Selection Likes acidic soils Well drained but moist Full sun is best but will tolerate part sun Good winter shelter Give it a strong support, such as a pergola or fence

Site Preparation Excavate an 18 deep by 2ft wide area Use 50% 4 way mixed topsoil and 50% peat moss Plant root ball 1-2 inches above existing grade Mulch with bark mulch

Watering Water deeply once per week

Fertilizing Fertilize every two weeks with Miracle Ultra Bloom or a similar higher phosphorus fertilizer If leaves are yellowish in appearance a monthly application of Chelated Iron is required

Pruning Remove half of the previous year s growth, each year in late winter Trim the tips of rampant shoots every other week to help promote more blooms Remove suckers that grow at the base

Hydrangeas

Site Selection Hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade Well drained but moist soils Sheltered from winter winds

Site Prepations Excavate a 12-15 deep hole by 2 ft wide Add a mix of 4way mixed topsoil and sphagnum peat moss Mulch with fine bark mulch to help keep moist

Watering During the plants first season water deeply at least three times per week Once established water deeply once a week Be extra diligent with water in the hot summer months.

Fertilizing One application of a slow release fertilizer such as Ultra Bloom applied in May Or Two applications of a water soluable fertilizer in May and one in June. Do not fertilizer after July Aluminum Sulfate add to the soil two or three times in May July will make the macrophylla s blooms bluer. If the leaves are yellow with green veins apply Iron Chelate.

Winter Care Most hydrangeas we carry will do fine in our winters with good snow cover Mulching with peat moss or leaf compost can be a benefit especially for the arborescens and macrophylla types. The Paniculata types are the toughest and usually don t require covering

Hydrangeas Typed Four Types Arborescens Paniculata Macrophylla Climbing

Arborescens Bloom on new wood Prune late fall to early spring After third spring they can be pruned to 6

Annabelle Hydrangea

Incrediball Hydrangea

Invincibelle Spirit

Paniculata Type Bloom on new wood Prune late fall to early spring Easy to grow Earlier flowering then the other types More tolerant of dry soils

Bobo Hydrangea

Bombshell Hydrangea

Fire and Ice Hydrangea

Firelight Hydrangea

Kyushu Hydrangea

Limelight Hydrangea

Limelight Tree Form

Little Lime Hydrangea

Little Lamb Hydrangea

Pee Gee Hydrangea

Pinky Winky Hydrangea

Quick Fire Hydrangea

Little Quick Fire Hydrangea

Sweet Summer Hydrangea

Vanilla Strawberry Hydrangea

Phantom Hydrangea

Macrophylla Large leaves Blooms on old and new wood Do not prune Prefers dappled sun, no hot afternoon sun

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Bloomstruck Hydrangea

Climbing Hydrangea Will climb a trellis, pergola, fence or the stucco of a house Part sun or shade Moist but well drained soils Care for the climbing Hydrangea is similar to the shrub types

Weigelas

Site Selection Prefer a full sun area but will tolerate light shade Well drained, but moist soils An area that gets good snow cover in winter

Site Preparation Excavate a hole 12-15 deep and twice as wide as the plant s root ball Mix in a good 4 way mixed topsoil Plant root ball so it is even with the surrounding grade

Watering Water deeply once or twice a week in it s first year Water deeply once a week once established Weigelas can tolerate some drought

Fertilizing Fertilize with a higher phosphorus fertilizer such as Ultra Bloom two to three times between May and Mid July If leaves show signs of Chlorosis apply one or two applications of Chelated Iron.

Pruning Weigelas bloom on old wood so the best time to prune is after they bloom. Prune any dead branches or broken branches in early spring after the plant has budded. Remove older, woody branches right to ground level on a regular basis to promote more blooms and a fresher looking plant

Winter Care Weigelas can suffer stem die back in our harsh winters Plant them where they will receive plenty of snow cover Covering the base with peat moss or leaf compost in late fall can also help

Centennial Weigela

Ghost Weigela

Minuet Weigela

My Monet Weigela

Red Prince Weigela

Polka Weigela

Rumba Weigela

Samba Weigela

Tango Weigela

Maroon Swoon Weigela

Tuxedo Weigela