Columns written by Greg Grant and a Smith Co. Master Gardener which appear each Sunday on the Gardening page in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, are posted here.
Azaleas Of Many Colors
Greg Grant
Greg Grant, Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Azaleas come in an amazing range of colors.
featured in Tyler Morning Telegraph, March 26, 2023
Many folks are still replacing dead azaleas from the big freeze event of 2021. Luckily, nurseries sell many kinds of azaleas. From large to small, once blooming to repeat blooming, and deciduous or evergreen, most everyone can find an azalea which appeals to them.
The most common azaleas grown in East Texas are Southern Indicas. They come from Japan and have a mature height of 6 feet with an equal spread. Flowers are usually 2 to 3 1/2 inches across. The “big three” varieties of Southern Indicas are George Taber (lilac), G. G. Gerbing (white), and Formosa (magenta). Southern Indica azaleas are the easiest and the largest of the azaleas we can grow.
Kurume azaleas are typically referred to as dwarf. A normal size for these varieties in East Texas is 2 to 3 feet tall. Kurume azaleas grow slowly and have denser growth than Southern Indicas. Flowers are usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches across. Christmas Cheer (red), Coral Bells (pink), Hino Crimson (red), Hinodegiri (red), and Snow (white) are popular varieties.
Later-blooming varieties are the Satsuki hybrids. Satsuki means “fifth month” in Japanese. Satsuki hybrid azaleas flower later in the spring season, usually mid-April through May. They have larger flowers than Kurumes and a low, dense, mounding growth habit. The Gumpo (pink or white) and Macrantha (pink/orange) cultivars belong to this group.
Other popular azalea groups recommended for East Texas are Glenn Dale hybrids, Carla hybrids, Girard hybrids, and Robin Hill hybrids.
Glenn Dale hybrids include several hundred varieties developed as cold-hardy replacements for Southern Indica varieties. Popular Glenn Dale hybrids include Allure (rosy pink), Copperman (orange-red), and Fashion (salmon to orange-red). Some of these are good fall bloomers.
Another azalea group developed for improved cold hardiness is the Girard hybrids. These compact growers produce single or double flowers in shades of white, red, pink, and lavender. Popular Girard hybrids are Hot Shot (orange-red), Sandra Ann (purple) and Unsurpassable (red).
The Robin Hill azaleas bloom heavily in fall and also flower in spring, commonly leading to the name of “re-blooming” azaleas. Sir Robert is a popular Robin Hill variety. Its flowers range from white to pink. The most popular Robin Hill variety is Watchet, which produces large 3 1/2-inch flowers that are clear pink and ruffled. Plants are compact and spreading. Conversation Piece is a bicolored Robin Hill variety.
Repeat blooming azaleas are all the rage now with brands such as Encore, Deja Bloom, and Bloom-A-Thons offering many different colors.
Still yet, the larger growing deciduous azaleas are bred from native azaleas but are a bit harder to find in the trade. Retired Smith County Horticulturist Keith Hansen is our resident azalea expert. He says, “I have not met a deciduous azalea that I do not like! They are striking shrubs, most flowering before the leaves return with fragrant, honeysuckle-shaped blooms that come in startling colors that include yellow, orange, pink, and white.”
Spring is a great time to pick out azaleas at garden centers since you can see exactly what colors you are getting. Just remember that they need well-drained organic soils, partial shade, mulch, and summer irrigation every two weeks during June, July, and August.
Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
Make a Plan For Your Outdoor Space
By: Shelia Preddy, Smith County Master Gardener
featured in Tyler Morning Telegraph, March 26, 2023
Shelia Preddy
Whether you are starting a new outdoor space or renovating an old one, a plan of action can save time and money. To begin, ask yourself some questions.
Are existing beds easily reachable, plants easy to maintain and access? Can any existing structures and layout be used? Is there easy and safe access to all parts – for people and for maintenance equipment? Are there different areas for different functions? How should beds and walkways be designed? Are there steep slopes that need to be managed? Are there drainage issues? What kind of irrigation will you use? Are there existing underground utility lines?
With answers to all those questions in mind, it is time to develop a general design plan and to put your ideas on paper. There are ways to use the computer to create different design plans. If the computer is not your thing, old fashioned graph paper is an option. Begin your plan by measuring and drawing the outer limits of the space you plan to use. Put in any permanent structures that will be in place: the house, driveway, existing trees and large shrubs and any patio, pool or walkways that you plan to keep or install. Keep your measurements as close to actual as possible. If you save several copies of this basic plan you will be able to develop and compare various designs that you come up with. Consider where to place the different functional areas: children’s play, adult activity, utilities, vegetable garden, flower beds, etc. Keep in mind sun and shade patterns, drainage and irrigation concerns, proximity to the house, the street, utility lines or other areas of concern. Once you have decided on the placement of the functional areas that you will need, it is time to pull it all together with beds, walkways and decorative items.
The flow of pathways and lines created with our beds can influence the general look and the way people move through the garden. For an informal, natural look choose soft, curving lines for beds and paths. For a more structured organized look choose straighter lines and more geometric shapes for beds and pathways. Consider ground surfaces: lawn, mulch, stone, etc. for the different areas. Any terracing, retaining walls and stairs need to be included in the plan.
Specific plant choices for beds do not need to be made at this point, but do include existing trees, shrubs or other plants that you intend to keep or install. Irrigation systems, raised beds, large container plants, statuary and water features should be considered now. Tall shrubs, screens and nooks can be planned to hide utility and other areas that are not too attractive.
Once you have decided on your basic layout, ask yourself the questions you started with and if you like the answers, pick a starting point and make it happen! Once the basic layout is in place, then you can work on plant design!
The Smith County Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization in connection with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Shelia Preddy
Smith County Master Gardener