Is the name ericaceae familiar to you?

No?

It's really only a fancy title for the King and Queen of shrubs: rhododendrons and azaleas. Azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron. These plants are all related.

There are no clear-cut definitions for distinguishing between the plants we commonly call rhododendrons and azaleas. "Rhododendrons" are usually evergreen and "azaleas" usually lose their leaves in fall. There are exceptions to this general rule.

The flowers of the two groups tend to be different in shape and in number of stamens. Even botanists have trouble categorizing some of these plants. This difficulty does not in any way detract from the beauty of these plants and the enjoyment that comes from growing them.

Most rhododendrons that you purchase at a nursery or garden center have been raised in a plastic pot. As the plant grew, the roots expanded to the wall of the pot, turned around and grew, forming a solid wall of roots.

When you remove the plant from the pot, take note that there are probably no free-growing root endings sticking out of the ball. You need to create new root endings, so that when you plant it, the free roots will grow into the surrounding soil, allowing the plant to become established and promote future growth. Failure to free these roots will most likely kill the plant within a year or so.

How do you solve this problem? Remove the plant from the pot and lay it on its side. Hold the plant by the trunk directly above the crown. With a sharp knife, starting at the top of the ball, make four cuts, 90 degrees apart, one-inch deep, all the way to the bottom of the ball. You have now freed the roots. Reach into the slits with your fingers and gently pull out several roots.

Rhododendrons require acidic soil for proper growth and nutrient uptake. You should have a soil test done, and follow the directions to amend the soil adequately for an acid-loving plant.

Rhododendrons offer a wealth of selection for everyone. Most of the plants available today are hybrids, which are plants propagated by cross-pollinating the flowers of distinct species to create a variety of colors: white, purple, pink, red, lavender and everything in between.

Plant size is very important to homeowners with limited space. Dwarf, small-leafed plants that only grow to 15 - 18 inches in 10 years are desirable for small areas, or as groundcovers in rock gardens. Plants that only reach three to four feet in 10 years are another choice.

The large-leafed "rhody" that most of us are familiar with should be planted with great caution because it will extend to 10 feet or more in 10 years.

Azaleas are an ideal choice as a companion for a planting of rhododendrons. Again, you have a wide range of selection. The old reliable evergreen azalea should be used with caution because hardiness in the Lehigh Valley can be a problem.

We are all familiar with the mass of blooms on the plants Mom gets for Easter and Mother's Day. Some, but not all of these plants, are hothouse varieties and cannot be added to your landscape.

A better investment would be to ask your nurseryman to help you select rhododendrons or hardy azaleas that will bring beauty to your home for many years.

"Growing Green" is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-746-1970.