Rhodyman,
Hello, this is my first time posting in this section of Garden web.
You web site is very nice! I am very new to azaleas and Rhododendrons. I have a few azaleas in my yard now, that were planted by previous owners.
I have a question which I hope you, or anyone with a understanding of these plants could help me with.

I am in the process of finishing digging my pond approx. 13X21 ft, with a extension/leg of 8ft x 9ft. There will be approx 2-3ft water fall on the berm area.

After much thinking about the planting style I want, I have decided to go with a Japanese garden flavor. From reading in the books I have purchased, azaleas are used a great deal in these gardens. I am a bit intimadated in planting these plants because of the picky planting conditions (I have basically clay soil, with maybe a 3-4" of topsoil).
On your website under "Japanese Rhododendrons" one of the examples you give is for R. indicum (indica azalea) as one of the oldest used azaleas. So...... do you think that is the best azalea to use for my Japanese style garden? Or should I have other varities?
I like that the Indica azalea is a evergreen shrub, I hate looking outside in our Virginia winters and not seeing any "green".

So basically I am thinking of using azaleas, rhododendrons, and Japanese Holly as a basis for my garden, does anyone have any thoughts on this or suggestions?

Also, on your site you have a large list of suggested books on these plants, what do you suggest as a best book or 2 books to buy for a newbie to azaleas?

Let me try to post a few pictures of my pond area.

This first pic shows the "enlargement and new "leg" of pond.
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This last pic is a photo of before I had enlarged my pond.
Any help is appreciated.

Rhodyman, a well deserved pat on the back - a little blatant self promotion is perfectly acceptable.

I think we've all referred to your website over the years, you must be very proud to have it recognized! Contratulations....

Judith,

You are in good azalea country. You will need good well-drained acid soil. I would save all the top soil you are removing during construction of your pond, then mix it with good acid humus. For smaller plantings I use the bags of composted peat and mix it 50:50 with the top soil. By using a raised bed you can control the pH very easily and assure good drainage. The roots usually don't extend down more than about 6" to 8" so it is easy to prepare a good bed. If your soil is too alkaline, you can use sulfur to lower the pH. I just ordered 30 pounds of sulfur from my local Ace Hardware for $12 total. Typically it is $7 a pound on the shelf. Avoid using nitrogen fertilizers with rhododendrons and azaleas. Also, don't use Aluminum Sulfate, it poisons the soil eventually.

In the table referred to below, Clemson Extension recommends using sulfur, mixed with soil, at a rate of about 2 lbs per 100 square feet to lower the pH one point. I would shoot for a pH of 5.5. With a good soil mix, you won't need any sulfur. With alkaline soil you will.

A good fertilizer for acidic plants is Holly-Tone. It is low in nitrogen and has sulfur and other essential nutrients in it. It is a very good product.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clemson Extension Soil Acidification Table

Congratulations! I have used your site many times without knowing it was yours. It's definitely good.

Rhodyman,
Thankyou very much for your reply on how to prepare the soil. Just from quickly scanning your site, I see I have a lot to learn, a bit intimidating...
Congrats again on your great rating on your web site, its people like you that make a difference to beginners like me.
Judith

Your site is wonderful, thanks for posting it.

Impressive site. Sort of the 'Perry's Perennial Pages' of the the Rhododendron world. I'm glad to know it exists.

Nell

Stephen - didn't recognize you under your nom de plume :-) We used to exchange the occasional post on rec.gardens. Congratulations - your site has always been exceptional but it's very nice to get that confirmed by such a prestigeous rating. You have every right to toot your horn a bit!

Pam
gardengal

{{gwi:386778}} Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I have been working on this website for 10 years. It is now up to 3rd spot in the top 100. I would like to mention 4 of the many other sites that are great. These are the websites that I go to when I am looking for information on specific plants:

1) American Rhododendron Society The ARS site, maintained by Bob Weissman, has an extensive file of rhododendrons and azaleas with descriptions and photographs. The site also has the ability to search for specific characteristics. I like the site's "proven performer lists" for various parts of the US.

2) Azalea Society of America This site, maintained by Bob Stelloh, is the ultimate azalea site with many photographs.

3) Rare Find Nursery in New Jersey Hank Schannen's nursery specializes in the best rhododendrons and other plants for the east coast and has complete descriptions of these plants in a searchable database.

4) Greer Gardens in Oregon Harold Greer is a very knowledgeable plantsman. His website has perhaps the most complete listing of rhododendron and azalea plants and companion plants complete with hardiness, plant habit, flower color, and candid descriptions.

Thank you,
Steve Henning

Here is a link that might be useful: Henning's Rhododendron and Azalea Pages