camellias or azaleas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have camelias -- note that different varieties bloom at different times -- and azaleas, but I also really like my viburnums and especially my dwarf kalmia (mountain laurel). And as long as it isn't deep shade, you should look at dwarf abelia as they smell just as heavenly as the daphne you wanted and are so maintenance free.

I just looked up the abelia, those are beautiful, but yeah it's deep shade. North facing yard that is shaded entirely by the house. Do you think the dwarf kalmia would grow there? Those are pretty too.

Well, most north facing yards that don't also have a dense tree cover are not considered "deep" shade. My house is North facing and the whole street has azaleas, and they do well in '"full sun or part shade" just like abelias. My abelia is on the north side of a fence between two houses and is very happy there.

[Anonymous]

I hate our azaleas. Bloom for like 2 weeks the boring. They look better in wooded areas, IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate our azaleas. Bloom for like 2 weeks the boring. They look better in wooded areas, IMO

Do you have suggestions for alternatives? Seriously considering the dwarf kalmia if it will grow. There are only so many options for not boring in shady areas but I’m definitely open to suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Camellias, but the blooms always end up spoiled. It’s just how they are.

It would be a great idea to visit the National Arboretum around the time you want them to bloom. They have big collections of both so you could find some good varieties.

There are also probably Viburnums that would work for you, maybe button bush? Those are natives. Not evergreen.

I got our camellias from a Camellia Forest Nursery by mail and they’ve done well. They are definitely slow growing. Make sure you get a cold hardy variety or you’ll grow them for 15 years only to lose them to a harsh winter.

Do you mean they start to look bad at the end of the blooming?

DP here, and I have the same complaint. The whole plant doesn't tend to bloom together so some look brown when they're done. It just not a satisfying look to me.

If your blooms are brown, you have a pest problem or you are not picking up the spent blooms. What you described is not normal.

[Anonymous]

OP here coming back to say that we decided to go with dwarf kalmias, so thank you to the poster that suggested those!

[Anonymous]

Be sure you protect them from the deer in this area until the plants get large enough for it to not kill them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be sure you protect them from the deer in this area until the plants get large enough for it to not kill them.

I haven't seen any in our neighborhood but will be on the lookout. How do you protect them from deer?

[Anonymous]

Peonies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be sure you protect them from the deer in this area until the plants get large enough for it to not kill them.

I haven't seen any in our neighborhood but will be on the lookout. How do you protect them from deer?

DP: Deer don't really like kalmia.

[Anonymous]

I have had most success and beauty with rhododendrons in this area. My azaleas just don’t thrive and my camellia bud-blighted immediately. The Rhodes I just plant and ignore.