Nearly Native - European Garden Plants – Azalea

Name – Azaleas are in the genus Rhododendron, with evergreen azaleas in the subgenus Tsutsusi and deciduous azaleas in the subgenus Pentanthera.

Description – Just to make things confusing, aome small-leaved rhododendrons look like evergreen azaleas! However most azaleas have only five or six stamens, while the manority of rhododendrons have ten. In addition, azalea leaves tend to be thinner, softer and more pointed than rhododendron leaves, and to have long straight hairs parallel to the leaf surface, usually along the midrib on the underside of the leaf.

Origin –The Japanese were raising hybrids of Azaleas in the 17th century and the book, ‘A Brocade Pillow’ which was published in 1692 describes and classifies the colour patterns of a genus of plants which are called Satsuki Azaleas today. These free-flowering shrubs are closely related to rhododendrons but are generally smaller. Most reach about a yard tall, although they can be as small as two feet or as tall as nine and are best grown in a sunny spot, where they produce their attractive blooms in late May to early July. Since they are shallow-rooted, it's important to plant them at the same depth as they were growing in the pot and to avoid hoeing or forking around them so as not to disturb the roots. Azaleas must be grown in an acid soil, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5 and they will not tolerate lime. Try to plant azaleas in an area which receives a few hours of morning sun, but has at least partial shade during the very hottest part of the day. The most common symptom of an ailing azalea plant is chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves. This is not a disease, but usually means that the soil is not sufficiently acid which can be prevented by proper planting and mulching. If the condition appears in spite of these precautions, check the water supply. Sometimes the water used contains lime which counteracts the acidity of the mulches.

Japanese Azalea photograph by M Shades, used under a creative commons attribution

 

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