It is also important to remember that most fungicides, and especially organically derived ones, are preventative rather than curative in method. When applied correctly, they will only help to stop or slow the spread of the disease to unaffected foliage but they won't "fix" what is already infected. If you know you are growing plants prone to these problems, start treating before you see any symptoms. The "best" fungicide is preventing the disease from ever starting :-) Obviously that's not going to be possible in all situations but selecting disease-resistant varieties, limiting the cultural conditions that promote fungal diseases (poor air circulation/over crowding, overhead watering, improper siting, excessive humidity, poor drainage, etc.) and practicing good garden sanitation should go a long way in preventing these problems from ever getting a foothold.

My two rhodies [anah kruschke] are at the end of a bed and jut our just beyond two tree trunks [1-1 1/2' -one cherry and the other maple] just up to the point where there is a slope down to the street. Unfortunately the prevailing wind pattern goes against the side of the tree trunks that they are on. Do you all think a different variety of rhododendrun like Lee's dark purple or PJM lavender would be better? Also was wondering about a weigela or the bushy salvia - Dark Knight. Any thoughts?? Appreciate what you have said already.

A few more I noticed while watering today that might do: I grow Cotoneaster horizontalis variegatus in a 14" container in full sun and does well, but we have high humidity...might make a difference? The bunny leaves it alone too. Turns lovely shade of red in winter, but very few blooms and no berries. Juniper 'Blue Star' in a low container with silvery-white Centaurea gymnocarpa 'Colchester White' and bunny ignores. Check out this Centaurea...it's the whitest filigreed leaf and evergreen here. Thrives in full sun. 30" high, 30" wide mound. Spreads from root but not as fast as some Artemesia. Chrysanthemum pacificum (now I believe renamed Ajania) is lowgrowing but spreads well. Would flow over and follow contours of rocks. Tough plant almost evergreen...sort of curls up in Jan-Feb but already in growth again). Silver-edged crinkly leaf, small yellow button flowers in fall. And bunny ignores. Trachelospermum asiatica probably grows too vigorously but a slower variant is Trachelospermum asiatica variegata gets about 12 in tall..takes full sun. Few blooms but the green/white leaves take on reddish tones in winter. Toxic so no bunny damage. Haven't noticed bunny bothering my 30" clump of Rue. Ruta graveolens 'Blue Mound'. Mine is confined to pot but I believe it spreads if in ground. Nice blue foliage, insignificant yellow flowers. Don't believe bunny bothers. Hedera canariensis variegata grows about 12" tall, large -about 5-6"- colorful evergreen leaves on red stems. Pink tones in winter. Can't swear to it but believe no bunny damage. Have a Hypericum rather nice yellow flowers, leaves turn reddish in winter, grows about 2 feet tall and I've read that it will spread...mine's in a pot, but throws out 3-4 foot branches which I presume would take root if I didn't keep trimmed. Haven't noticed bunny damage. All these are in full sun growing within sight of my back windows and I see one bunny once a week or so. so no guarantee but just my experience. Have lots of varied plants but these are strong growers most of which I've grown for years. The Centaurea is a 3-year "newbie" which I like better than any Artemesia which often don't do well in our humid summers. Yes, I like variegated foliage! Smile. But I love foliage of all kinds more than flowers and so have lots of plain greens to set off variegation. You may want to stick to plain green version...they are usually even tougher and grow faster. Good luck with your project. josh

I apologize for leaving out my source of wind--hurricanes. P. macrophyllus is what is used for mostly shrubs around here. Podocarpus has a blanket recommendation from multiple county extension offices for wind/hurricane resistant but I didn't know the form these were rated. I would hate to attempt a tree form to have it just get blown over. Saw reports that gracilior/weeping requires active pruning/shaping or hurricane damage will occur. Want a plant-and-forget type tree.