Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Susan Monica testifies she feared for her life Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Susan Monica testifies she feared for her life Woman who chased family with knife jailed Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Students participate in fuel reduction effort at Ruch School New funding formula awards universities for graduating more students Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Oregon lawmakers advance vaccine bill to budget committee Agency: Humpback whales' recovery is national success story Les Schwab descendant plans to close Central Oregon road popular with hunters Oregon bill would prohibit charges for filming police Woman, 98, gets birthday wish: horse-drawn carriage ride Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Betty Louise Dawson Cecil L. (Mike) Michael Eileen Rose White Nora June Shepherd Teresa Wears Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Howard, Harden propel Rockets past Mavericks Fisher takes medalist honor in SWC meet Tornado cruises to win over Willamette Panthers rally for SWC victory Sheldon joins North atop SWC Varsity 541 College Sports Marshall stays with Ducks to get better Eckert, Beavers take series from Arizona Randall drives SOU into postseason Beaver fans get first look at Andersen, Collins Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Pro Sports Howard, Harden propel Rockets past Mavericks Injuries again have a major role in playoffs We should appreciate Jabbar while he’s still with us Bucs have front-runner for draft, stay mum Vogt homer powers A's past Angels Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Jackson County's March unemployment rate returns to pre-recession level Ride & Drive: 2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country Burger joint coming to Ashland Rogue Credit Union nearing $1 billion in assets Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 Real Estate News Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Letters to the Editor, April 22 Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Landgren cartoon: Tick season Granlund cartoon: Minnesota ISIS Editorials Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 19 Letters to the Editor, April 17 Columns Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Dana Milbank: America's new cycle of partisan hatred George Will: Don't seize the raisins Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Dave Ramsey: Difference in debts 5 Things to Do This Weekend (April 24-26) Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Group calls for release of handsome Utah wild horse that became online sensation Season Stepp: Learn how to cook asparagus with a few easy tips Food Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Season Stepp: Learn how to cook asparagus with a few easy tips Wholesome baby foods: Chef, nutritionist team up for book of homemade recipes Food for Thought: The new place of dairy on a paleo plate Kitchen Call: Asparagus with a ‘spring’ chicken Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Paul Rogers: Enjoy convenience of container gardening Home Help: 3 quick, easy kitchen and bath upgrades Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth Health Brent St. Germain: One year and counting Community blog: The Healing Power of Nature Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years ... Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years ... Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden By Betty Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 21, 2015 @ 8:08 am By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 21, 2015 @ 8:08 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> What plant is more associated with spring than azaleas, the South’s favorite shrub? Azaleas, a member of the rhododendron family, come in two general categories — evergreen and deciduous. Most of the azaleas grown in home gardens are evergreen and are native to Asia. Seventeen deciduous azaleas are native to North America. Evergreen azaleas come in a range of colors including red, pink, hot pink, lavender and purple, with some being strong colors and others pale colors, some with stripes and some with narrow petals. Some of these will need to be found in specialty nurseries. If you seek out different cultivars of these lovely plants, you can have blooms over a long period of time. Some varieties start blooming in mid-spring and others bloom at different times until August. Many are quite fragrant and add a lovely scent to any garden. If you are not familiar with these azaleas, I encourage you to add one to your garden. “My Mary,” a pale yellow, is my favorite. Azaleas are not hard to grow as long as you remember a few general rules: - Planting in the right location is important. I tried for years to grow “Delaware Valley” on the south side of the house and it would never live. I switched to “GG Gerbin” and it has performed beautifully. Some will take more sun than others. But generally, most all azaleas prefer some shade in the hottest part of the day and high dappled shade under tall pines is ideal. - Azaleas prefer rich organic soil with excellent drainage. When planting, break up the root ball to encourage the roots to spread out and find more moisture. You need to plant azaleas an inch above ground level. The plant will not perform well in a low spot where it might stay wet. You also need to water each week during the first year to help get the roots established. Two inches of mulch will help to keep the ground soil cooler, will hold in moisture and will keep down the weeds. - Azaleas need acidic soil that is natural in our area. Lime should never be added and if they are planted in heavy clay soil, they will get root rot and eventually die. They like to have moist soil, but not wet feet. You will need to give them some water in the hottest part of summer if we do not get rain. You do not want them to dry out completely. - Fertilize azaleas just after they bloom. If you fertilize before they bloom, you will get more foliage than blooms and if you fertilize them in the fall, it will encourage new growth that might not harden off before frost and this is not good. I fertilize azaleas with a mix of one 40-pound bag of cow manure, one 40-pound bag of cottonseed meal and a quart of Epsom salt. I put a cup on each plant and two cups on very large shrubs. You can buy fertilizer that is specific for azaleas and is an excellent product. Azaleas have shallow roots and can burn easily with commercial fertilizer if you are not careful. - Azaleas can be pruned to keep them looking perfect. One rule that is easy to remember is to lightly prune just after they bloom. For evergreen azaleas if you wait until summer, you will be cutting off the new flower buds that have formed. If you need to do heavy pruning, do this in the winter when the bushes are dormant. Never prune more than one third of the plant at a time or the bushes could suffer. I encourage people to go inside the plant and cut a few larger branches. This will open up the plant to let air and light inside the plant and encourage new growth. - There are new varieties of azaleas on the market today that re-bloom. Encore azaleas were the first re-blooming azaleas to be available in garden centers. There are about 30 varieties from which to choose. Bloom-A-Thon is another re-blooming azalea that has come on the market more recently. Both kinds of re-bloomers bloom in the spring and again in the fall. - Azaleas can be long lived and will add elegance to any garden. Spend some time in specialty garden centers and find some of the more unusual ones to add to your garden. It is worth the extra effort to seek out some of these beautiful plants. Betty Montgomery is a correspondent for The Spartanburg (S.C) Herald-Journal. By Betty Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 21, 2015 @ 8:08 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501