New Tree on the Patio - Red Bird Azalea

The 'Red Bird' Azalea is an evergreen, prized for it's flowers that bloom in spring-mid summer, can be grown as either decorative shrub or flowering tree.

 While technically a Rhododendron, with roots in China & Japan, some sources say that the Azalea was developed specifically for cold regions, such as North America & some Azalea cultivars are deciduous.

April 2026

The Red Bird is hardy(USDA zones: 5-9), "greedy" when it comes to fertilization & picky about it's environment..they need rich, well-drained soil, preferably on the acid side (pH 4.5-6) and will not do well in direct sun..think "understory" tree, like a Japanese MapleAzaleas and rhododendrons are often confused because an azalea is always a rhododendron, but a rhododendron is not necessarily an azalea. All plants commonly known as "azaleas" or "rhododendrons" belong to the genus Rhododendron, which has eight subgenera comprising nearly 1,000 species and 20,000 hybrids. Azaleas are found in two of these subgenera.

Acquisition: April 2026; Home & Garden Center: Price: $6.00 (1/2 off sale)

Read more about this tree @Red Bird Azalea or use the Tree Inventory Menu

Update: Mexican Weeping Pine

 This is an exerpt from the Photo/History page for Mexican Weeping Pine

The Weeping Pine has been in a nursery pot since I received the bare-root seedling, last August & I wanted to take a look at his root development & re-pot, if possible.

I was initially surprised at the sparse root growth, until I remembered that these trees are shallow rooted in the wild. I removed enough soil so that I could see that this tree has healthy, white roots, extending around the perimeter of the original root ball & it was no problem slipping him into a training pot & gave him new, fresh potting mix & topped him off with aggregate. 

He is maintaining a height of 30 inches, which is the same length as when first received. This has been a priority & concern since taking-on growing a pine tree, which normally would top-out at 30 ft. (or more) Overall, just keeping this tree alive has been a challenge, while effectively "dwarf-ing" him.

Stay tuned!

Update: Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Known as a "fast grower" these trees are often used to create windbreaks & "tree lines" & our mini-Leyland is showing signs of growth with very green foliage, as opposed to the blue-green foliage of mature trees. 

My previous experience with conifers..pine, juniper, Cypress..led me to expect slow-growth..barely perceptible..think years, not months, so I was pleasantly surprised when this leylandii showed significant regrowth in a little less than 3 months.

This tree would no longer be mistaken for a Xmas tree & I'm looking forward to what we might be able to do with this specimen. Additionally, I'm surprised at the ease of propagation via cuttings, of which I will document at some point, but for right now, I well-pleased with his progress & development.

 

Access the full Photo/History of this tree @ Leyland Cypress or use the Tree Inventory menu on the r-side of every page  

Update: Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

The Dragon has recovered nicely from 'childbirth' & I'm happy to report that both parent & child are doing well & both are showing signs of growth.

He has also regrown a substantial portion of the foliage that was trimmed, back in Dec. with new spires towering over the older, shorter plumes left from the 'flat-top' haircut I gave him.

The cutting, likewise is growing, getting taller & producing spires of his own making him look just like the mother plant. (grown from cuttings, he will exactly duplicate, or clone his parent)

Access the Photo/History for: Madagascar Dragon Tree 

 

Update: Coprosma 'Karo Red' (aka Mirror Plant)

The Karo Red may never look like he did 16 months ago, but he has survived & is continuing to fill-out his foliage in the burned areas. The canopy is not quite restored, but it appears he has adjusted well to re-potting..looks like he's "put on some weight". 

As one of the oldest specimens in the collection & his recovery from adversity, he has reclaimed his right to be a front-line tree & to be on display, permanently, I hope.

To see the full life history for this tree, click-on Coprosma 'Karo Red here or on the menu on the r-hand side of every page