CULTURAL NOTES ON AZALEAS, 
CAMELLIAS AND OTHER SHRUBS 
AND TREES 
The planting and care of all plants listed—for 
practical purposes—is identical. 
Any good garden soil, slightly acid, with plenty 
of rotted leaves and leaf mold from hardwocd trees, 
such as oak, bays, gums, etc., worked in—is satisfac- 
tory. The soil must be well drained. Azaleas or Ca- 
mellias, in fact, very few plants will tolerate stand- 
ing water or water saturated soil. 
The actual planting is important. Never plant 
any deeper than previous planting—even an inch or 
two too deep—will produce a sickly plant. It is ad- 
visable to plant Azaleas and Camellias slightly higher 
than previous planting, bringing the surrounding soil 
up to the balls. This allows for gradual sinking in 
soft soil. 
Fertilizer—Silver Bay Nurseries do not recom- 
mend heavy fertilizer. If plenty of leaf mold is used 
in the soil and as a mulch—very litle extra fertilizer 
is needed. Cottonseed meal, tung nut meal, or well 
rotted barnyard material are excellent and organic 
fertilizers. Too much fertilizer produces too much 
top growth and such plants do not bud or bloom well. 
Also too much fertilizer can easily injure tender root 
systems. 
Two applications of fertilizers a year is generally 
practiced—the first soon after blooming, in early 
spring—the second from middle to last OlgJiune: 
Spraying—Volck used at the rate of one part to 
50 parts of water, adding one to two teaspoons of 
Black Leaf 40 to every gallon of water, is effective 
against all scale and most insect pests. Spray should 
never be used in late Fall as a freeze causes great 
damage if it hits soon after spraying. 
Caution: Never use any oil spray during hot 
weather, as it will cause serious damage. 
Watering—Both Camellias and Azaleas love a 
humid atmosphere. Use plenty of water, especially 
during the hot dry spells. Keep all newly transplant- 
ed stock well watered. Soak thoroughly when plant- 
ing, and do not allow to dry out. 
Mulching—A good mulch—three to four inches— 
of leaves or pine straw is beneficial. In the winter 
bring mulch well up on and between the stems of the 
plant; damage from freeze often occurs at the base 
of a plant. 
Sizes—It is almost impossible to quote the exact 
sizes of all plants, in the various price groups. Some 
varieties are vigorous upright growers, while others 
are slower, more dwarf or compact growers. For 
example, in a price group listing plants 12-18 inches, 
the strong growers will be about the full 18 inches, 
while the slower growers will be about the 12 inches. 
in nee plant being as old or older than the larger 
plant. 
Balled and Burlapped Stock—Do not disturb the 
burlap in any way. It is not necessary to remove the 
nails. Plant just as you receive it. The burlap soon 
deteriorates in the ground. 
