The pearl of landscape design is azalea garden. Photo, description of varieties, nuances of care

This is not the first year that garden rhododendron has been considered the most popular plant for decorating gardens and parks. And this is not surprising, since the beauty of culture is literally mesmerizing. She has dense leathery leaves and luxurious flowers that can take on a wide variety of colors. In the article, we will consider what kind of flower is street bush azalea (also called garden rhododendron), show a photo of a flowering shrub, and also tell all about the intricacies of keeping in the garden, starting from planting in the open ground and subsequent care and ending with diseases and pests.

What is this plant?

This type of rhododendron belongs to heather. From Greek, it translates as "rosewood." And such a name is justified, since it has incredibly beautiful flowers.

Is it a tree or a bush?

A garden plant has the appearance of a bush with leaves of different sizes and shapes.

On a note. Rhododendron shrub, very magnificent and beautifully blooming, can be annual, biennial and perennial.

Detailed description

The bush has beautiful leaves and flowers. The color of inflorescences can be very different, but The following shades remain the most popular:

• white;
• red;
• Violet;
• lilac.

All flowers are in the brush, which resembles a chic bouquet. Given the type and variety, the form of inflorescence is:

1. bell-shaped;
2. funnel-shaped;
3. tubular;
4. wheel-shaped.

Some flowers give off a pleasant aroma. The fruits of the garden rhododendron are a five-leaved capsule, up to 2 mm in size, in which there are a lot of seeds. The root system is compact and superficial, consists of many fibrous roots, due to which the plant is transplanted easily and quickly.

History of occurrence

Initially, this decorative culture was discovered by sailors in Japan, the Himalayas and China. Further, some varieties were noticed in the Caucasus and North America. In Europe, garden rhododendron grows only in the mountainous regions of Germany.

Can indoor flower be placed in open ground?

Yes, it is possible, but only subject to all agrotechnical rules. It is important to choose a site with fertile and nutritious soil, as well as protected from direct sunlight.

About growing azaleas in the open ground is described here.

Where will it look better?

Garden rhododendron is actively used to design a garden in any style. Unusually, the plant looks in the role of tapeworms, as well as group compositions. Then they should be combined with evergreen conifers and flowering plants of other species. For this, juniper, pine, larch, ferns are suitable.

A plant is perfect for decorating alpine slides and rocky gardens. Then you should choose undersized species with different flowering periods. When designing rocky slopes, rhododendrons with mountain pine, heather and gentian must be composed.

The garden rhododendron looks no less beautiful when decorating borders. Thus, it is possible to ennoble not the most successful places for landscaping inside neighborhoods.

Importantso that the bushes do not grow in the draft, they are successfully combined in color and timing of flowering with the rest of the plants growing in the garden.

The healing properties of some varieties

Garden rhododendron is a pretty useful plant. It is very valuable for human health. In medicine, the following types are in great demand:

• Adams Rhododendrons;
• Daurian;
• golden;
• yellow;
• Caucasian.

These plants are indispensable in the treatment of:

1. heart disease
2. blood vessels;
3. rheumatism;
4. epilepsy;
5. colds
6. autonomic neurosis.

What is the difference between street rhododendron from other species?

The main difference between a garden rhododendron from other species in the decorative foliage and luxurious flowers. During flowering, the bush has an incredibly beautiful appearance, which not every crop can compare with. In addition, rhododendron is a long-lasting plant, as it can live up to 100 years.

Subsorta and their photos

Below you can find photos of flowers on the bush of a street rhododendron, in particular, see the bushes of the following types and varieties of garden plants:

Daursky

This is an elite variety of rhododendron. The height of the bush is 2-3 m. Differs in plentiful blossoming. In the warm season, repeated flowering is possible.

Adams

This guest came from the east. He has fleshy and beautiful leaves, as well as pale pink flowers. Bush height 1.5 m.

Caucasian

This bush is not tall, due to which it spreads on the ground. Its inflorescences are pale yellow or cream.

Japanese

This is a deciduous variety. He has fleshy and large leaves that turn red with the onset of autumn. He has lobster buds.

Bloom

When and how?

The time when rhododendron blooms in the garden is determined by climate, care and variety. Most of the plants of this species bloom buds from May to June.

The nuances of care during this period

Before the onset of flowering, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture, water it only as the top layer dries. Every 2-3 weeks to make top dressing with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus.

Note! After flowering, the plant goes into a dormant stage, so it must be installed in a slightly shaded place, reduce watering to 1 time in 2 weeks. Top dressing is not made at this stage.

Possible problems

What if the azalea does not bloom? First you need to understand what led to this, why rhododendron does not bloom when grown in the garden in open ground:

1. Incorrect landing, performed without observing special conditions: temperature, illumination, deepening of the hole, first feeding and watering.
2. Failure to schedule feeding. Fertilizing the soil is important in early spring and late autumn.
3. Excess nitrogen. This will lead to the development of green mass, while the bud laying stops.
4. Humidification of the earth with household water.

Step-by-step instructions on how to care for your garden

Beginning gardeners doubt whether to get involved in growing rhododendron in the garden, for fear of the difficulties of care. In fact, this plant is not particularly picky. Further we will tell in detail how to grow rhododendron in the garden.

Seat selection

When choosing a suitable place for a garden rhododendron, it is important that it is as protected as possible from the wind and direct sunlight. Rhododendron bushes grow here especially fatty fleshy, and flowers - plentiful. Shrub should be available for viewing. Only in this way the decorative appearance of the culture during flowering will be noticeable to others.

What should be the soil?

A special substrate is required to grow the plant., for the preparation of which to take in equal proportions the following components:

• heather land;
• peat;
• garden soil;
• rotted manure;
• needles.

Procedure

Landing measures are carried out as follows:

1. The completed hole is filled with a substrate. In it, prepare a place for planting a bush. The plant itself should be placed strictly vertically.
2. Press the ground near the root system of the bush. Voids and "pockets" cannot be formed.
3. If the groundwater level is high, then lay a special drainage layer on the bottom of the recess.
4. Mulch the topsoil after planting using peat chips.

Temperature

On a note. In summer, the temperature remains optimal - 16-18 degrees Celsius. But if you provide the plant with full watering and air humidity, then indicators of 22 degrees are permissible.

Starting in October, lower the temperature to 5-8 degrees Celsius. Maintain it for 1.5 months, so that the kidneys begin to mature. When they swell, then the temperature is again raised to 13-15 degrees.

Watering

Humidification of garden rhododendron should be plentiful, to a depth of 20-30 cm. To do this, use soft and acidified water. Water as the topsoil dries, avoiding drying out.

Top dressing

To feed rhododendron, an aqueous solution of manure is used. Contribute it before flowering. Granular superphosphate is used to form flower buds and extend flowering times. Sprinkle it on the moist earth under the plants. Fertilizers with microelements are applied in the form of watering or spraying leaves.

Pruning

Since the bushes form the correct shape, pruning should be minimal. But here's how to make a tree out of a bush. To do this, adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Pruning is done in early spring, before the sap flow begins.
2. In the process of trimming, remove all damaged and old branches. Also shoots located in the lower part of the bush are subject to removal. Leave only the tip for proper crown formation.
3. To process all places of cuts with a garden var.

Transfer

If rhododendron is grown at home, then it is recommended to transplant it once every 2-3 years. For this, it is necessary to use the transshipment method, and select a container one size larger.

Thoroughly water the day before the transplant, so that when removing the bush from the old container, do not injure the root system.

Attention! Immediately after transplanting, water the bush and install in a slightly shaded place.

How to prepare for winter?

Consider what to do with a street plant in the fall. If the rhododendron will winter on the street, then it is necessary to increase the thickness of the mulching layer to protect the roots from freezing. In late autumn, the plant needs abundant watering. If you use rhododendrons that do not winter well in the Russian climate, then there are two options: cover them with non-woven material (that is, make a winter house) or transfer them to an apartment.

How to keep rhododendron in the winter in an apartment, in a pot? To begin with, it is necessary to prepare the capacity and nutritional composition for the home planting of rhododendron in the winter. After transplanting, the plant for the winter can be placed on the insulated balcony or loggia of the house.

Here's how to prepare rhododendron for winter.

Breeding

We will tell you exactly how street rhododendron propagates.

Seeds

Procedure:

1. Planting material is sown in containers with carefully moistened heather or peat soil mixed with sand (3: 1).
2. Cover the seedlings from above with glass and set in a bright place.
3. Before germination, moisten the substrate as needed, ventilate every day and remove condensation from the glass.
4. Sprouts form after 3-4 weeks. And as soon as they form 2-3 leaves, then they will be planted, deepening into the ground by cotyledon.
5. During the first year, the seedlings are kept in a cool greenhouse, and the next one can already be planted in open ground. The growth of seedlings is chalky, so that flowering occurs for 6-8 years.

Cuttings

Procedure:

1. Semi-lignified shoots are suitable as planting material. Their length should be 5-8 cm.
2. The lower leaves should be removed, and the lower sections should be kept in solution for growth stimulant for 12 hours.
3. Place the cuttings in a mixture of peat and sand (3: 1), and then cover with polyethylene.
4. Rooting lasts long and hard - 3-4.5 months.
5. To grow cuttings to be in boxes with a mixture of peat and pine needles (2: 1). For winter, take them out into a bright room, where the temperature will be 8-12 degrees.
6. In the spring, cut the cuttings in the garden directly in the drawers.

Diseases and Pests

Of the pests, the danger is:

• mealybugs;
• scale insects;
• spider mites;
• bedbugs;
• weevils;
• rhododendron flies;
• snails and slugs.

The gastropods will have to be collected manually, and for prevention, treat the bush with an 8% solution of fungicide TMTD. To destroy weevils, ticks and bugs, use Diazinon. To destroy the remaining parasites with the help of Karbofos.

The most dangerous diseases remain:

• leaf spotting;
• cancer;
• chlorosis;
• rust.

The main reason for their development is poor aeration of the root system. Copper sulfate is used to combat spotting and rust. Chlorosis, due to which the leaves turn yellow and fall off, is easy to defeat if you add iron chelate to the water for irrigation. Cancer treatment, in which brown spots appear on the leaves and shoots, involves the removal of the affected parts of the plant to healthy tissue.

On a note. Prevention includes the use of Bordeaux fluid in the early spring and late fall.

Prevention of various problems

When growing a garden rhododendron, the following problems and methods of prevention are possible:

1. Rotting of the roots. The main reason is stagnation of moisture. This can be prevented if watering is normalized and loose soil is used.
2. Dropping foliage and brittle branches. Do not plant a bush on a site with a strong wind.
3. Burns on the leaves, yellowness. These are signs of sunburn. What to do if leaves turn yellow? Do not plant a plant in an open area, be sure to create a shadow. To do this, you can plant a crop under the branches of neighboring trees. And while in the spring the leaves have not yet formed, you will have to create a shadow yourself.

Garden rhododendron is a unique decorative culture that actively decorates gardens, parks and even balconies. Depending on the type of plant, it can be grown at home or in the open. Rhododendron is not picky in care, but it will not tolerate errors.

Useful video

Watch a video on garden azaleas (rhododendron). Planting and care, cultivation of rhododendron and varieties:

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