8 GREEN RIDGE NURSERY, MADISON OHIO 
AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS .. . 
In general, azaleas and rhododendrons are not adaptable to adverse conditions of 
any sort: they require an acid soil that is mcist and well-drained, and they prefer 
partial shade and protection from wind. Notable exceptions are Azalea mollis, which 
does not need a particularly acid soil and prefers sun, and the Rhododendron hybrids 
which do quite well in no shade at all (they do need acid, though.) 
The side of a hill beneath some trees or the east side of a building is usually an 
ideal site, giving both wind and afternoon-sun protection. Bottoms of ravines and 
other low spots may be frost pockets where late frosts will nip the flower buds. 
To acidify an alkaline soil, work in some sulfur dust and peat moss to a good 
depth. Peat moss is fine even if soil is already acid because it improves moisture 
and drainage and supplies organic matter. Water is essential, and in dry areas you 
may have to irrigate every summer during hot spells. 
Wherever the soil is alkaline, the summ2rs dry or the winters bitterly cold 
some special attention and protecticn will be necessary. The rewards will be many 
times worth your trouble. 
JAPANESE AZALEA 
(Azalea japonica) 
Good sized flowers in late May, shades 
from orange and salmon to brick red. 
nicely in fall (yellow, orange, red). Tall Medium size, reaches 5 to 6 feet. Very 
and spreading, reaches 6-8 feet or more, hardy, generally tolerant or ordinary 
needs acid soil, should have part shade soil. The flowers usually have a dis- 
rather than full sun. pleasing odor, but the hardiness, dense 
” : : growth habit and large flowers in color- 
ogi Pep besos Monier ane hate ful profusion make it worth while. 
Pot . 3 yr. TT 6-10” bushy $1.00 each: 
3 for $2.85; 10 for $8 75 
ROYAL AZALEA 
(Azalea schlippenbachi) 
Large (242-3”) rose pink flowers in May, 
neat growth habit, leaves turn color 
PONTICA AZALEA 
(Azalea lutea, also A. pontica, A. flavum) KOREAN AZALEA 
Bushy, upright shrub, 6 to 10 feet tall, 
covered with sweetly fragrant clear yel- 
low flowers in late May or early June. 
Performs handsomely here, but rarely 
grows well where hot weather is long 
and intense. Somewhat acid soil, sun or 
part shade. 
2 yr. IT 3-5” 50c each; 5 for $2.25: 
(Azalea yedoense poukhanese) 
Compact, low spreading plant, covered 
with mildly fragrant rosy-lavender flow- 
ers in May. Hardy, 212-3 feet high, per- 
forms well in shade, blooms freely while 
still quite small. 
2 yr. TT 3-6” very nice 55c each; 
5 for $2.50; 10 for $4.50 
10 for $4.00 
ee CHINESE AZALEA 
| \y (Azalea mollis) 
\ J Hardy, easiest azalea to 
oN grow. Usually blooms for 
\V Memorial Day in this re- 
: gion, covering itself with 
: large blossoms in shades 
of yellow, orange, salmon, 
! and flame red. Does not 
require highly acid soil as 
do most other azaleas, but 
it does prefer plenty of sunshine and 
good drainage. Matures at about 3-4 
feet. Grown from mixed seed, colors 
unknown. 
2 yr. T 3-6” 35c each; 3 for $1.00 
10 for $3.00; 25 for $7.00 
3 yr. TT 6-8” 65c each; 5 for $3.00; 
10 for $5.50; 15 for $13.50 
4 yr. TT 8-12” $1.10 each; 3 for $3.00 
10 for $9.00 
nnn nnn ES 
Left: Mature Chinese Azalea in bloom. 
Sma'i photo shows 6-8” size in dormant stage 
to show branching and root system. 
