Evening star., 1941-05-17

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of to 10 feet or more in height.
The swamp azalea (R. viscosum
another native is one of the last to
bloom in the summer. While called
swamp azalea it will grow in a moist
rather than boggy situation. Its
clear white flowers are considered
by many to be the most fragrant.
1t is of comparatively low growth in
most gardens although described
as reaching 6 feet.
The flame azalea (R. calendula-
ceum) Is one of the most snowy Of
azaeas. Its large flowers come in
colors ranging from clear yellow to
vermillion on a shrub that may be
10 feet high in the Carolinas but
here seldom exceeds 6 feet. For col
or effect 1t is better to select the
flame azaleas while in bloom in
the nursery.
The coast azalea Or. atlanticum)
is sweet-scented dwarf, seldom
exceeding IL feet in height. For
covering shady slopes 1t is a gem, as
1t spreads by underground runners.
The flowers may be had in either
pink or white. We prefer the white
form.
There are other natives that mer-
it attention, including the pinkster-
flower CR. nudiflorum), Mayflower
(R. roseum) and the smooth aZalea
R. arborescens), the best hardy
white, according to some authori-
ties. Of the introduced species and
varieties there are many, some of
which are not as hardy here as we
would like. OF the harder ones
the royal azalea CR. schlippen-
bachiD, pale pink flowers on g.
foot shrub; the Korean azalea (R.
poukhanense), with lilac-colored
flowers on a 3-foot bush: torch
azalea (R. kaempferD and its many
hybrids, and the Japanese azalea
(R. japonicum), a tall-grow1ng
shrub (6 feeD with orange, yellow
or apricot flowers.
While the above are of unques-
tionable hardness here, there are
many others that are grown in local
gardens which may be called less
hardy but which ordinarily suf-
fer little or no winter injury. These
include the colorful mollis and its
many hybrids CR. molle) In shades
of yellow, orange and salmon; the
indica aZalea (R. indicum of me-
dunn height and with flowers rang
ing from rose to red in color, and
the snow azalea (R mucronatum),
which is commonly sold as r. indica
alba or r. ledifolia alba and is the
finest white we grow. Do not con-
fuse it with the Kurume hybrid.
snow, a dwarf double that is fine
for planting in front of the taller
kinds.
The Kurume azaleas (R. obtusum)
are a group of hybrids that have
been very widely planted in this
area. They are rather low-growing,
Towering and in many ways
very satisfactory. Seemingly they
received their start in our gardens
because we bought them for Easter
and saved them for planting in the
garden. Christmas cheer, crimson;
coral bells, pink; daybreak, light
pink; flame, brilliant. red; hinode-
girl, red; pink pearl, apple-biossom
pink: snow, double white, and sal
mon queen, salmon pink, are all
listed as Kurume hybrids.
One could go on listing other spe-
cies and varieties as further proof
that there are a great many KINDS
and colors available for garden use.
However, 1t is better to make your
selections in the nursery or IN
friends gardens. There are num-
Der of local gardeners who have ex-
tensive collections who are only TOO
glad to help. 1t is desirable, how
ever, in making start In an azalea
garden, to choose those Of known
hardness and dependability. There
are plenty of them. Then If you
wish to try some of the more ques-
tionable kinds you will not seriously
impair the appearance OF your gar
den in case of failure.
In growing azaleas, we are prone
to stick them in the ground without
especial soil preparation just be-
cause they are natives. They will
grow, it is true. and flower, but Tor
real masses of bloom, and few plants
can be so completely engulfed with
flowers as an azalea, they should be
put in a soil containing at least IS
per cent decaying vegetable matter.
Compost, leafmoid or peat are COM
monty employed for this purpose.
Mix the humus into the soil to q
depth of foot or more. After plant
ing the azaleas, mulch with leaf
mold or compost and keep them
mulched the year around. In the
spring, for appearances sake, we
may remove some of the coarser
material, but never, never remove
the finely broken material or culti-
vate. Azaleas are shallow-rooted
and they suffer from any root dis
turbance. If the soil is not acid or
acid enough, we may add tannic acid
in dilute solution, or aluminium
sulphate Cup to "A pound per square
yard), depending upon the need, II
we do not have enough oak leafmold
available. Once made acid, the
mulch should keep it sufficiently
acid for good growth.
While the decomposing mulch
ordinarily provides sufficient plant
food to take care of their needs
azaleas may be fed fertilizers espe-
cially prepared Gree from alkalies)
for the purpose. Ammonium sulphate
and acid phosphate may be used In
small amounts. Likewise tankage
and blood meal, If available, but not
more than a quarter of pound pei
square yard. Do not add commercial
fertilizers after the middle Of June
SO that the wood may be maturec
before cold weather. This Is . pre-.
caution against winter injury.