Creating My Pond Garden, Part II
And with a little patience and elbow grease, my pond garden is all planted.
Last week, my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew worked tirelessly to get more than 100 lush and healthy azaleas, ferns, and trees in the ground. All the azaleas are from White's Nursery in Germantown, Maryland. White’s Nursery specializes in azaleas as well as rhododendrons. Of all the shrubs that flower in spring, azaleas provide some of the most brilliant displays, so I wanted the area filled with shades of yellow, cream, and orange azaleas. Together with the bold greens of the other perennials and trees, this garden is sure to be amazing when it matures.
Enjoy these photos.
-
- The best time to purchase azaleas is in spring when they are in full bloom. That way, one can see the flower colors and plan a garden design. Many of these are blooming so wonderfully now.
-
- Here’s Ryan placing all 70 of these colorful orange, yellow, and cream colored azaleas. Azaleas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light. Hot all-day sun can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests.
-
- I wanted the pond to be surrounded with gorgeous trees and plants. They will shade the charming pond house so nicely.
-
- I selected both river birch and paper birch trees for areas that get full sun to partial shade. I already have many birch trees thriving in this area.
-
- Once all the potted specimens are placed, the digging begins. With so many plants to get in the ground, it is important to work quickly and efficiently.
-
- Where each pot is placed, a hole is made. Each hole is about two to three times the size of the root ball and at least as deep as the root ball. Digging the right sized hole is crucial for proper root development and drainage.
-
- As each plant is removed from its pot, Pasang teases the roots to stimulate growth. He manually breaks up the bottom to loosen the roots and create beneficial injuries. This helps the plant become established more quickly in its new environment.
-
- As each specimen is planted, a good handful of fertilizer is dropped into the hole and mixed with the existing soil. I always use a quality fertilizer to aid transplant survival and increase water and nutrient absorption. This is Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed All Purpose Plant Food.
-
- Pasang plants the azalea at the same height it was in the pot and then backfills. Azaleas have short root systems, so they can easily be transplanted in spring or early fall.
-
- Finally, Pasang uses a shovel to lightly level the soil around the plant and tamp down to establish good contact. Some azaleas, including native types, can reach towering heights of 20 feet or more. Dwarf azaleas grow two to three feet tall, and many garden azaleas stay four to six feet in height with as wide a spread.
-
- Some of the azaleas in this grouping include this ‘Appalachian Gold’ – an Aromi hybrid that produces abundant, large clusters of rich golden buds tipped in orange that open to sweet scented flowers with bright golden-yellow petals.
-
- This is Azalea ‘Red Pepper.’ This native azalea is an Aromi hybrid with deep red buds in early spring that open to these brilliant, ruffled orange flowers.
-
- Azalea leaves are green, thin, pointed, and smaller than rhododendron leaves.
-
- This one is called Azalea ‘Great Balls of Fire.’ It is a rare deciduous rhododendron hybrid that produces abundant, rounded flower clusters in fiery red to deep orange.
-
- In contrast, this creamy yellow azalea is ‘My Mary’ – another native azalea hybrid that produces abundant and fragrant blooms in shades of soft to light yellow.
-
- ‘Sunstruck’ is a bit bolder in color. It features tubular funnel-shaped, wavy-edged lobes in vivid yellow.
-
- And this azalea is ‘Don’s Variegated Austrinum’ with warm golden flowers.
-
- Some of the deciduous azaleas are unknown varieties, but still so beautiful and lush.
-
- As each one is planted, Phurba gives it a good, thorough drink. After planting, these azaleas will be watered every day for a week and then once weekly until the roots are established. The soil should remain moist, but not overly saturated.
-
- Newly planted trees are also staked with bamboo to provide additional support as they get established.
-
- After a couple of days, all the specimens are properly planted and watered.
-
- When planting anything, always consider space needs. Azaleas under three feet tall do best at least two feet apart. For plants three to five feet tall at maturity, leave at least three feet between plantings. For large azaleas eight to 10 feet tall, plant them a minimum of six feet apart.
-
- This entire area will mature so beautifully. I can’t wait to see it fill out and flourish.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
