Rhododendron 'Azaare02' STAR STYLE™ LILAC spider azalea
Rhodovit (ericoid)Rhododendron
Rhododendron stenopetalum is an unusual species of deciduous azalea, although some garden selections and hybrids may be semi‑evergreen or even fully evergreen. It is native exclusively to the Japanese islands of Honshu and, marginally, Shikoku. Its narrow, thread‑like petal lobes, fine foliage and light, airy habit create a clean, graphic appearance that aligned well with the aesthetic principles of traditional Japanese gardens. The species was accurately described by Siebold (Philipp Franz von Siebold, 1796–1866), who collected plants from Japanese gardens and mountain regions in the first half of the nineteenth century. His collections remain a foundation of European knowledge of Japanese azaleas.
Stenopetalum grows naturally in bright mountain woodlands, where its narrow, deeply divided flowers appear as the forest begins to wake and resemble delicate paper ribbons suspended among the low branches of the surrounding vegetation. This flower shape is entirely unique within the genus and is rarely found in other azalea groups. Japanese scholars were interested in the species long before Siebold; records of its cultivation appear as early as the Edo period (1603–1868). In temple and samurai gardens it was maintained as a valued shrub and observations were recorded in garden journals. Because foreigners were not allowed to move freely within Japan at the time, even for scientific purposes, the plant was brought to Siebold by local physicians and rangaku scholars as one of the botanical curiosities of their flora.
Star Style™ Lilac is a distinctive evergreen azalea cultivar with exceptionally delicate flowers which come out in abundance. They come out in trusses around 5 to 6 cm across and are star‑shaped, composed of five narrow, non‑overlapping lobes and numerous stamens that give the flower its characteristic spider‑like appearance. The colour is a rich lilac to purple. The plant usually flowers in May, the blooms last about ten days and, under favourable conditions, it can re‑bloom in late summer. Hardiness has not yet been tested in all extremes, but it has so far proved reliable down to –20 °C (USDA zone 6b).
The evergreen Star Style™ azalea series was bred after 2010 by Matthijs C. Barendse in Paterswolde in the north of the Netherlands as part of a long‑term programme focused on unusual flower shapes. The series is based on hybrid origin: the female line derives from a cross of Rhododendron stenopetalum × Rhododendron simsii, while the male line is a seedling of Rhododendron simsii. From R. stenopetalum the plants inherited extremely narrow, thread‑like petal lobes and their characteristic star‑shaped appearance, while R. simsii contributes bright colours, compact growth, the ability to re‑flower and reliable evergreen foliage. The series currently comprises three colour forms – white, bright pink and lilac.
Last update 27-05-2023; 23-08-2026
Evergreen and semi‑deciduous azaleas are ericaceous plants that prefer partial shade to full sun and a light, acidic soil that remains gently moist yet well drained. When planting, provide a light, open mix with peat, non‑limed compost and leaf mould. Always create a shallow planting bed and never place them in a deep hole or heavy clay soil. They tolerate short periods of summer dryness, but their leaves may then become weaker and more susceptible to fungal diseases. If spots appear on the foliage, or the leaves begin to curl or lose colour, it is advisable to apply a fungicide without delay; one or two treatments are usually sufficient to keep the plant healthy until winter. Azaleas are generally not pruned – only if you need to adjust the shape or rejuvenate a fast‑growing shrub, do so early in spring so that it can produce new shoots with flower buds for the following year. They regenerate reliably. Their numerous surface roots draw moisture and nutrients from the upper soil layer, so they benefit from year‑round mulching.
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
