Success with Azaleas

For many gardeners, azaleas are the true harbingers of spring, setting the landscape ablaze with glorious, exuberant colors. But what many gardeners don't realize is what a large, diverse group of plant azaleas really are. If you think of them as mainly evergreen shrubs for shady gardens and Southern climes (like Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters Golf Tournament), you might be surprised at their true versatility.

Azaleas come in both evergreen and deciduous forms with single and double blooms in many shades of white, purple, red, pink or orange. Most bloom from early to late spring with a few extending later into the growing season. While some are tender, others like the Northern Lights hybrids developed in Minnesota are extremely hardy (-45 degrees F) and can be grown in the coldest parts of the country. If that's not enough, Northern Lights azaleas even have fragrant flowers. Most azaleas do prefer some shade, but there are varieties, such as the Southern Indica Hybrids, that were selected because they can grow in sunnier spots.

The real key to success with azaleas is to do your homework to find out which types grow best in your area and the conditions you have in your garden. Your local nursery or cooperative extension office can help.

Now is a good time to plant azaleas in southern areas. In colder areas wait until the soil thaws. Here are some other planting tips:

• Choose a planting site with light shade (as mentioned, some varieties can take more sun) and well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, amend the soil with Bayer Advanced™ .
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root-ball and just deep enough so that the top of the root-ball is slightly above the surrounding soil.
• Gently remove the plant from the container. Hold your hand over the top of the root-ball and turn the container upside down so the root-ball slips out (it should be slightly moist). If it doesn't come out easily, cut the pot. Cut or gently loosen any matted roots on the outside the root-ball. If planting balled-and-burlapped azaleas, remove the tie and pull the wrapping down the side of the root-ball so the burlap is completely buried.
• After planting, apply two to three inches of organic mulch. Keep the soil slightly moist. The plants should never dry out completely, nor should the soil be overly wet.

Fertilize with Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action Azalea, Camellia, & Rhododendron Food Granules, which creates the acidic environment acid-loving plants need to grow and bloom. It provides deep, continuous feeding for up to three months.

• Control pests. Bayer Advanced™ Dual Protection Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Insect & Disease Control Ready-To-Spray protects against aphids, Japanese beetles, lace bugs and leaf beetles while controlling diseases such as leaf spot. One application protects for up to six weeks and is applied as a drench – so no spraying! Just measure, mix and pour – it's that easy to protect your investment and keep your azaleas beautiful year round.

The Dramatic Dahlias

Few flowers offer such vibrant color and varied form as dahlias. They come in every color (including many combinations) except true blue, but it's the diversity of flower and plant form that is really remarkable. Flowers, both big (over eight inches across) and small, come in singles and doubles, frilly cactus form, ball-shaped, pompons, daisy-like anemone and many more. They are wonderful cut flowers. Plants range from small and compact to over six feet high and fill almost any garden role.

Dahlias are tuberous perennials that are planted after the last frost. They grow best in full sun, well-drained soil and need regular water. Taller types need staking. In most areas, dahlias are best dug up in fall and stored until the following spring. For more information on dahlias, visit The American Dahlia Society at www.dahlia.org.

To give your dahlias a strong start and to protect from insects and disease, make sure to use Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate.

Growing Grass in Shady Areas

If you're having trouble growing a healthy-looking lawn in shady areas, the first step toward a remedy is to make sure you are growing the right type of grass. Although all grasses grow best in full sun, St. Augustine and Zoysia grass are the most shade-tolerant, warm-season or Southern grasses. Fine fescue is the most shade-tolerant, cool-season or Northern grass. So the first step may be to replant shady areas.

The next best step is to increase the light that reaches the lawn. That usually means pruning trees so more light gets through their canopy. Mowing the lawn higher will also help, as will proper watering and fertilizing. Because of the decreased light and competition from tree roots, watering can be especially tricky. Water deeply and then allow time for the soil to partially dry before you irrigate again. Aerating will help water penetration. To control moss and algae, which also love the shade, use Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer Ready-To-Spray.

If your best efforts still result in a thin, unhealthy-looking lawn, consider replanting with shade-loving ground covers, such as ajuga, liriope, vinca, ivy, hosta or pachysandra.

Better Blooming Agapanthus

Agapanthus, or lily of the Nile, is one of the most popular flowering perennials in mild-winter climates. With beautiful mounds of dark green, strap-like foliage and tall stalks of globe shaped flower clusters in shades of blue and white, agapanthus has long been one of the most reliable and carefree spring bloomers. Now these wonderful plants are even better. Two new varieties, "Blue Storm" and "Snow Storm" outbloom old varieties in stunning fashion, producing up to twice the number of flower clusters.

"Blue Storm" has deep purple-blue flowers and "Snow Storm" has white blooms. The evergreen leaves reach about 12 inches high and the flower stalks grow up to three feet high. They bloom in mid to late spring. These new varieties can be grown outdoors year round in USDA zones 8 to 11. Elsewhere, they can be grown in containers and protected in winter in a bright, freeze-free spot.

Plant agapanthus in full sun and well-drained soil. Water and fertilize regularly. Protect from snails and slugs with Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Snail and Slug Killer Bait Granules, the snail and slug killer you can use around pets and wildlife.