Few plants can equal the stunning blooms of a rhododendron. Like jewels on a royal crown, these queens of the shade garden are regal beauties whose stately forms add excitement to any woodland setting. New varieties are continuously sought after--and today number more than 800 varieties from around the world.

Rhododendrons are fairly hardy evergreen plants that can withstand temperatures from as low as -10 degrees to over 100 degrees in the summer. The plants can range in shape from dwarfs that grow only 18" tall, to mounding forms and upright varieties that take on a tree-like quality.

But what sets them apart from the rest of the plant world is their incredible display of spring blooms. The ornamental flowers appear in large clusters called trusses, with each individual flower containing protruding stamens that produce a somewhat spidery effect.

The flowers come in a myriad of colors including shades of blue, purple, lavender, red, pink, coral, white, and yellow. Some varieties produce flowers in a combination of colors. Most bloom from as early as March to as late as June, depending on climate and location. Some varieties are also fragrant.

Rhododendrons prefer a morning sun location with afternoon shade. They are an acid-loving plant that responds well when an acid soil amendment such as peat moss is incorporated into the soil before planting. They prefer a consistently moist (but not wet) soil environment and enjoy being fed with cottonseed meal or an acid food every two months--from after the blooming season has ended until early fall.

So if your shade garden is lacking pizzazz, add a few rhododendrons to the area and watch it come alive with color in the spring. With so many endearing colors to choose from, there's a color that is bound to please even the most discriminating gardener.

Azaleas are easy to love. Their amazing flowers put on an incredible display of color every spring like clockwork, helping to herald in the coming growing season. Whether in a formal or woodland garden setting, azaleas make a great addition to any garden. When these plants are in full bloom, it's almost impossible to see the foliage underneath.

For centuries, azaleas were only grown in Japanese gardens. But then native species were discovered in North America and eventually types from both countries found their way to Europe. In colder climates, the deciduous species (Exbury Hybrids) which are primarily from North America, perform the best.

Azaleas are versatile and can be used in almost any spot in the garden provided they have good drainage. Exbury Hybrid Azaleas can be grown in full sun in all but the hottest areas. Their flowers come in almost every color shade imaginable and the bushes range from 3 to 8 feet high and wide. They also reward gardeners with good fall colors in shades of orange and red. Many also have sweetly scented blooms. If you are short on space in your landscape, consider planting azaleas in containers to add another dimension to your garden.

Azaleas grow well in evenly moist and slightly acidic soil. They perform best when the soil is amended with peat moss or an acid planting mix before planting. They also like to be fed every few months with cottonseed meal or an acid plant food. We recommend feeding from the end of the blooming season through early fall.

Azaleas don't require much pruning if the proper varieties are selected for the desired mature size. If occasional pruning is needed to control size or wayward branches, prune from one month after the blooming season has ended. Pruning any later can remove the new blooms that are starting to set for the following spring.

Whether pruned formally into shapes or left natural to blend in with the local surroundings, azaleas make a wonderful addition to any garden with their extraordinary offering of beautiful spring flowers.

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Plant and grow blue hydrangeas in acid soil mix. When planting in containers use a commercial soil mix designed for camellias and azaleas. When planting in the ground, amend the native soil in the planting hole with the same acid planting mix, according to package directions, or use Holly Tone or acidifying fertilizer. Mulch with leaf or redwood.

If planting in the ground, check the root run of established plants to make sure the soil is not too alkaline. Use a soil test kit to test the pH of the soil. A pH of 4.5 to 5.0 yields blue flowers, a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 yields mauve, and a pH of 7.0 to 7.5 yields pink.

If you want to keep them blue, maintain the desired pH with aluminum sulfate. Use 1 tablespoon aluminum sulfate per foot of plant height, or 1/4 teaspoon per potted plant. Mix this in water and apply it as a drench several times in spring and fall, beginning in September.

For blue hydrangeas, don't use fertilizer that contains phosphorus. Phosphorus is alkaline, so the use of it will raise the pH of the soil and turn blue hydrangeas to pink--which gives you a handy way to keep hydrangeas pink! If your soil is acidic, adding some dolomite lime will also help.