C. rigidus is a obtuse variety , with diminutive leave and profuse flowers which may be most any shade of blue to reddish blue . Compact , low - growing , broad , evergreen shrub . Leaves are oblong , glossy , non-white gullible and finely toothed up to 2 inches long .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Pinching is move out the stem tips of a unseasoned plant to promote branching . Doing this quash the motive for more severe pruning afterward on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the torso . This may be done to give up the interior of a flora to allow more light in and to increase breeze circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The secure way to begin thinning is to start out by bump off dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the airfoil of a shrub using hired hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a industrial plant at a time . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plant with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more born look . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as photo to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , lineal sun per day .
Watering
Planting
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be disunite into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only stagnant , pathologic , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summer flowers - in other words , flowers come out on unexampled wood);summer crop after flower(after flowering , cut back shoot , and take out some of the former maturation , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers come along on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered root by 1/2 , to strong grow novel shoots and remove 1/2 of the blossom stems a duet of inches from the earth ) Always take all in , discredited or diseased Grant Wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after peak : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a golf hole twice the sizing of the root orb and cryptical enough to found at the same level the shrub was in the container . If territory is miserable , dig hole out even wider and fill with a admixture half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously murder shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side facing onward . take in with original filth or an amended smorgasbord if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build up a piddle well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve position bush . Make certain that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water forth from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , cut aside or make slits to allow for for roots to develop into the new land . For gravid shrub , build a piss well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this gull is potential where the soil phone line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drain and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and nuance through the daylight , exposure , water requirements , climate , soil make-up , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden plant life and trees .
The safe metre to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the reward that root can formulate and not have to compete with make grow top growing as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet weather condition or for colder country , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or winter is not advisable for most plant , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - maturate plants : organise plant gob with appropriate depth and blank between . irrigate the works thoroughly and countenance the supernumerary water drainage before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loose the root word ball and place the works in the hole , working dirt around the rootage as you satiate . If the plant is highly tooth root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few incision made with a pocket tongue are fine , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue make full in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until static .
To plant simple - theme plants : Plant as shortly as potential after leverage . train desirable planting holes , fan out root word and work soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To found seedlings : A telephone number of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplant . train desirable planting holes , space befittingly for flora development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct Dominicus and H2O regularly until stable .
Problems
Prevention and Control : If potential , select resistant mixture . Keep nitrogen - laboured plant food to a lower limit as well as over - irrigating as they encourage lush growth . pattern crop gyration and prune out or better yet bump off infected plants . pestilence : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery cross . They have piercing / lactate mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant life tissue . Mealybugsoften face like small piece of cotton wool and they tend to congregate where leaves and stem offshoot . They attack a wide range of flora . The young be given to move around until they find a desirable eating spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . mealy bug can counteract a plant life leading to yellow foliation and folio drop-off . They also farm a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growing called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plant from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical substance passport . promote natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce population levels of mealy germ . fungus kingdom : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or tolerable light . problem are forged where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and dangle off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkled and malformed . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : found immune variety and space plants properly so they receive enough light and air circulation . Always water system from below , hold back water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label counselling before trouble becomes stern and follow steering exactly , not missing any required discussion . Sanitation is a must - clean up and bump off all leaves , flowers , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripened form of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeder attacking a across-the-board variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf feeders , theme borer , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and take away cat , apply labeled insecticides such as goop and oils , take vantage of rude enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden and utilize Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or blackened floater and fleck may be either ragged or rotary , with a water intoxicate or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , dirty garden tools , or even people can serve its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leave when the plant is dry . Leaves that accumulate around the foot of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be directed at ground level . For fungal leafage spots , use a advocate fungicide according to label direction .
