Can anybody help please?

Hi,
Great forum!!
Could anyone answer two questions for me please?
I've planted these in my garden, (See below) they were from my Nan, Now we're not sure exactly what they are, or how to look after them.
Also, Can anyone please tell me how to look after an Azaelea ? I'm looking after one of my Mum's, its now getting very bushy, & I'm not sure what to do next with it.
Thanks, Any help greatly appreciated, (Comp's I can cope with But plants are something totally different lol!)

My Mum's Azaelea

 

The top pic is (I think) erigeron otherwise known as fleabane. Acording to my little girl's book of knowledge it is a perennial, likes a bit of shade and should be treated as an alpine, i.e. not given excessively wet ground.

As for the azalea it looks find to me - maybe a little tidy-up clip and a feed sometime but otherwise fine. You got a nice shrub there, Jojo.

 

Thank You michaelmasdaisy.

You say about not being given excessively wet ground, but they seem to droop when not watered lots.
Someone else told me they may be "Everlasting" ?? They grow as "Dried flowers".

 

Out of my depth here but I think the top one is Helicrysum, and whatever it is you are doing to the Azalea, carry on, it looks great

 

Top one is indeed Helichrysum (or everlasting flower or strawflower) with some feverfew poking out on the right. Sun, moist but,well drained conditions, so does like water, but doesn't like to be standing in it long + does need a bright spot. Azalea looks good! can cope with a bit of shade, water with rain water if possible (not absolutely necessary) & feed with a feed for ericaceous (acid loving) plants (such as miracid - if you must!). If you have a real christmas tree, save the dropped needles & mulch the pot with them - they are acid. If you do repot it use ericaceous compost.

 

Thanks for all the replies you've all helped immensely. I'm glad I'm not harming the Azalea the way I'm looking after it. Its my Mum's "Pride & Joy" It gives beautiful Cerise Pink flowers in the summer

Bayleaf.... I was thinking about moving the Azalea into the main garden as it seems to be outgrowing the pot. Bad Idea ??

Ps Great Forum with Very helpful members Cheers :D

 

Hi Jojo
Not necessarily a bad idea - it depends on your soil pH - get a test kit from a garden centre, & follow the instructions - if the pH is 6 or below your Azalea should be fine, if not, excavate a hole quite a bit bigger than the root ball & surround your plant with ericaceous compost, or pot into a larger container & sink into the ground. hope this helps.

 

a couple of years ago I planted a Rhododendron in my garden by digging a big hole, dropping a well punctured black plastic bin liner into it and filling it with a bag of ericaceous compost and the rhodo seems to be doing just fine.

On reflection I could have just put in the bag of compost itself but probably the plastic bin liner was bigger!

[ 07. August 2005, 11:40 PM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]