Key Terms

BOLD means new or just new to us; Wd-well drained; M-moist; W-woodland; Hr-humus rich; DH-deadhead; P-poor; S-sandy; Ps-part shade; X-excellent; Gc– ground cover; N-neutral; A-acid; Alk-alkaline; ^-winter protection; Lm-leaf Mould; F-fertile; Mt-moisture retentive.

Helpful Hints

Some of these plants need need a burlap protection in the winter. Always use proper Broadleaf food and only early in the season.
Rhoddo/Azalea do not use any miticides- never water over the top of leaves; Fertilize with proper Rhoddo food,NOT Aluminun Sulphate..FERTILZE RHODO’S IN SPRING AFTER FLWERING & IN JULY.

Leaf chewing Beetles-use Diatomaceous Earth or Horticultural Oil; mulch to provide sufficient moisture.

Leaves turn black and stem starts getting black – Botrytis, usually caused by roots not taking up water each time you water it makes the problem worse. Usually caused by real wet winters & then we get a period of real hot weather. Cut back beyond the black. Supply good air circulation & practice good sanitation…deadhead decaying flowers

Holly – female hollies have a ‘bump in the middle of the flower-male hollies have an indent in the middle of the flower. For best results use proper fertilizer for Hollies-One male Holly will fertilize 5-6 females if stems are not black. Give 2 feedings[no more] of All Purpose Miracle Gro This is good advice for all dead-looking trees/shrubs.
Every 3 years the hollies will shed the older leaves. If, for whatever reason hollies completely de-foliate, they will usually return. Using proper fertilizer is important to the nutrient supply for the plant. Usually sold in small size packages Aluminun Sulphate is NOT a fertilizer, it is for acidifying the soil.