MORE THAN JUST BUSHES!
Shrubs
Shrubs are plants that have woody stems and branches. A shrub is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 6m tall. Plants of many species may grow either into shrubs or trees, depending on their growing conditions.
Shrubs tend to either be deciduous, evergreen, or coniferous. Deciduous shrubs are those that lose their leaves in the winter. Evergreen shrubs are those that retain their leaves in winter. Coniferous shrubs are those that have needles and tend to be evergreen (although there are a few exceptions).
Some of the most popular shrubs include Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Hydrangeas.
Best Deciduous Shrubs For Your Garden
These deciduous shrubs will lose their leaves in the winter, yet their beautiful yearly blooms are worth it!
Best Evergreen Shrubs For Your Garden
These evergreen shrubs will retain their leaves in the winter, adding life to your garden year-round.
HOW TO
Ensure Your Rhododendrons Bloom Year After Year
Rhododendrons are one of the most diverse groups of ornamental plants. They include some of the most spectacular flowering shrubs, as well some of the smallest. They are at their height of bloom in late spring and early summer. Some varieties bloom as early as January or February while some bloom as late as August. Most varieties, however, bloom during April, May, and June.
Whether they are grown in large groupings or as individual plants no other shrub gives such a diverse range of colours. The variations in the form, colour, texture, and size of the leaves are so remarkable that even if they did not flower many varieties would still make outstanding specimen shrubs in your garden.
Choosing the Right Location
Rhododendrons need to be planted in an area where there is lots of humus, or good workable soil. They have a very fine shallow root system, so they do not do well in heavy clay or very rocky soils. The shallow roots also mean that they do not like cultivation of the soil at their base. Manure, compost, or peat moss makes for excellent soil conditions for their roots.
One thing that Rhododendrons require is a consistent supply of moisture. Due to the fact that their root system is very shallow the soil should not be allowed to go dry for very long. Conversely, Rhododendrons should not be allowed to sit in stagnant water. Root submerged for a period of time will die. The reason that Rhododendrons are so successful here on the west coast is our warmer wet winters and our cool summers.
Planting Your Rhododendron
When planting Rhododendrons be sure to add compost, or peat moss to the soil as well as some Transplanter (5-15-10) or All Purpose (6-8-6) fertilizer to encourage good root development.
Mulching is a very important part of growing Rhododendrons successfully. The reason for mulching is to keep the roots cool in the summer, protecting them from sudden soil temperature changes in winter, as well as preventing the soil from drying out in the summer. Mulching helps reduce the growth of weeds. One of the best mulches to use is Bark Mulch but you can also use our Garden Soil, or Sea Soil.
Fertilizing
For healthy vigorous blooming rhododendrons, they should be fertilized on a regular basis with our Evergro Rhododendron and Azalea Fertilizer (10-8-12). The first application of fertilizer should be made in March or April before they begin to bloom. A second application should be made sometime in June or July after they have finished blooming. This second application is made so that they can develop blooms for the following year.
Common Problems
- Yellow Leaves – If your Rhododendron has pale green or yellow leaves it may be a result of a lack of Nitrogen or Iron in the soil. Fertilizing with the Rhododendron and Azalea Food will help to solve the problem.
- Root Weevils – Weevils are black beetles that live in the soil and climb the Rhododendron at night and eat holes in the leaves. The larvae of the weevils also eat the roots of your Rhododendrons. You can control the weevils by applying beneficial Nematodes to the soil in April and by applying the sticky Tanglefoot to the trunk. If more severe control is required there is the Borer and Weevil Killer spray that can be applied to the trunk.
- Spider Mites – These are microscopic insects that suck on the bottom of the leaves causing the top of the leaf to become spotty and turn a mottled-brown colour. To control these, you can apply a SafersTM product like Insecticidal Soap, Trounce, or End-All.
- Sunburn – If the leaves become light yellow with brownish burned areas on the sunny side of the plant you may have sunburn. If the leaves not in the sun are a deeper green, then sunburn is likely the problem. It is best to provide the plant with more shade or move the plant to a shadier location.
- Windburn – If the edges of the leaves are turning brown then windburn may be the cause. Protect the plant from the wind or move the plant to a more protected area.
- Fertilizer Burn – This shows as brown burn spots on the tips and the edges of the leaves and will be on the entire plant not just the sunny side. Watering the soil heavily to leach out the excess fertilizer will help.
- Chlorosis – This is when the plant has dark green veins with yellow areas between them. This is often caused by a lack of iron. Apply Iron Chelate in a water-soluble form to the leaves and water into the roots. Chlorisis may also be caused by other types of damage to the roots such as root rot, root pruning, root weevils, or root death as a result of too much fertilizer.
HOW TO
Ensure Your Rhododendrons Bloom Year After Year
Rhododendrons are one of the most diverse groups of ornamental plants. They include some of the most spectacular flowering shrubs, as well some of the smallest. They are at their height of bloom in late spring and early summer. Some varieties bloom as early as January or February while some bloom as late as August. Most varieties, however, bloom during April, May, and June.
Whether they are grown in large groupings or as individual plants no other shrub gives such a diverse range of colours. The variations in the form, colour, texture, and size of the leaves are so remarkable that even if they did not flower many varieties would still make outstanding specimen shrubs in your garden.
Choosing the Right Location
Rhododendrons need to be planted in an area where there is lots of humus, or good workable soil. They have a very fine shallow root system, so they do not do well in heavy clay or very rocky soils. The shallow roots also mean that they do not like cultivation of the soil at their base. Manure, compost, or peat moss makes for excellent soil conditions for their roots.
One thing that Rhododendrons require is a consistent supply of moisture. Due to the fact that their root system is very shallow the soil should not be allowed to go dry for very long. Conversely, Rhododendrons should not be allowed to sit in stagnant water. Root submerged for a period of time will die. The reason that Rhododendrons are so successful here on the west coast is our warmer wet winters and our cool summers.
Planting Your Rhododendron
When planting Rhododendrons be sure to add compost, or peat moss to the soil as well as some Transplanter (5-15-10) or All Purpose (6-8-6) fertilizer to encourage good root development.
Mulching is a very important part of growing Rhododendrons successfully. The reason for mulching is to keep the roots cool in the summer, protecting them from sudden soil temperature changes in winter, as well as preventing the soil from drying out in the summer. Mulching helps reduce the growth of weeds. One of the best mulches to use is Bark Mulch but you can also use our Garden Soil, or Sea Soil.
Fertilizing
For healthy vigorous blooming rhododendrons, they should be fertilized on a regular basis with our Evergro Rhododendron and Azalea Fertilizer (10-8-12). The first application of fertilizer should be made in March or April before they begin to bloom. A second application should be made sometime in June or July after they have finished blooming. This second application is made so that they can develop blooms for the following year.
Common Problems
- Yellow Leaves – If your Rhododendron has pale green or yellow leaves it may be a result of a lack of Nitrogen or Iron in the soil. Fertilizing with the Rhododendron and Azalea Food will help to solve the problem.
- Root Weevils – Weevils are black beetles that live in the soil and climb the Rhododendron at night and eat holes in the leaves. The larvae of the weevils also eat the roots of your Rhododendrons. You can control the weevils by applying beneficial Nematodes to the soil in April and by applying the sticky Tanglefoot to the trunk. If more severe control is required there is the Borer and Weevil Killer spray that can be applied to the trunk.
- Spider Mites – These are microscopic insects that suck on the bottom of the leaves causing the top of the leaf to become spotty and turn a mottled-brown colour. To control these, you can apply a SafersTM product like Insecticidal Soap, Trounce, or End-All.
- Sunburn – If the leaves become light yellow with brownish burned areas on the sunny side of the plant you may have sunburn. If the leaves not in the sun are a deeper green, then sunburn is likely the problem. It is best to provide the plant with more shade or move the plant to a shadier location.
- Windburn – If the edges of the leaves are turning brown then windburn may be the cause. Protect the plant from the wind or move the plant to a more protected area.
- Fertilizer Burn – This shows as brown burn spots on the tips and the edges of the leaves and will be on the entire plant not just the sunny side. Watering the soil heavily to leach out the excess fertilizer will help.
- Chlorosis – This is when the plant has dark green veins with yellow areas between them. This is often caused by a lack of iron. Apply Iron Chelate in a water-soluble form to the leaves and water into the roots. Chlorisis may also be caused by other types of damage to the roots such as root rot, root pruning, root weevils, or root death as a result of too much fertilizer.
FAQs
Roses are beautiful in the garden and flower better than most other shrubs. With proper planting, pruning, and fertilizing they bloom profusely all summer long, year after year.
Roses require a rich loamy soil in a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Roses should be fertilized periodically during their growing and blooming periods. Start in March/April when the leaves begin to develop by applying compost or manure around the base of the bushes as well as a granular fertilizer. This should be applied every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season from March to October.
Pruning Roses
November – Prune out weak, diseased, crossing, and broken canes and remove at the ground level. The canes remaining should be shortened by ¼. Once all leaves have fallen spray with a lime sulphur and dormant spray.
March – This is when the most important pruning is done. Remove an additional ¼ of the branches so that the bush is about half of the height at the end of the previous summer. It is best to cut to an outside bud to encourage an open growth habit. Cut just above the leaf bud at a slight angle away from the bud.
Click here for more information and to download the full Rose Care Guide.
Click here for more information about pruning and to download our Practical Pruning Guide
Rhododendrons need to be planted in an area where there is lots of humus, or good workable soil. They have a very fine shallow root system, so they do not do well in heavy clay or very rocky soils.
Rhododendrons require is a consistent supply of moisture. Due to the fact that their root system is very shallow the soil should not be allowed to go dry for very long.
The reason that Rhododendrons are so successful here on the west coast is our warmer wet winters and our cool summers.
When planting Rhododendrons be sure to add compost, or peat moss to the soil as well as some Transplanter (5-15-10) or All Purpose (6-8-6) fertilizer to encourage good root development. Mulching is a very important part of growing Rhododendrons successfully.
Click here to download our full Rhododendron Care Guide for more information as well as some common Rhododendron problems.
Hydrangeas are available in hundreds of varieties; they tolerate shade and are relatively low maintenance. As a long flowering shrub they are an excellent garden centerpiece. Hydrangeas bloom from early June into September. Their blooms are also excellent long lasting cut flowers.
Hydrangeas bloom and grow well with morning sun and afternoon shade. They do not do well in heavy shade as their blooms will be few and unlikely to fully develop.
Hydrangeas need to be regularly watered in hot dry conditions. They can wilt quickly if they do not receive enough moisture; however they recover swiftly once watered.
Hydrangeas should not be fertilized with mushroom manure. Steer manure may be applied shortly after winter ends. Manure be applied between the beginning April and the end June.
Click here to download the full Hydrangea Care Guide.
