Azalea japonica 'HOT SHOT VARIEGATED'

Japanese azaleas are very popular features of our gardens. In their home climate they grow to relatively substantial shrubs, as opposed to limited sizes in our continental, dry climate. They are very floriferous, maintenance-free shrubs that usually bloom from mid to late spring.

Hot Shot Variegated is a Japanese azalea with small, elliptic, dark green leaves with white margins. They are evergreen in zone 7 and semi-evergreen in zone 6 when temperature drops below -18°C. The plant will always make new leaves in spring again even it loses foliage completely. The flowers are large, bright red, opening from upright buds. In 10 years it can be some 50 cm tall and wide. We recommend growing it in semi-shade in zones 5 and 6.

Japanese azaleas need light, permeable soil that is acidic, constantly moist (keep azaleas mulched at all times) and moderately fertile. Use fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas, or ericaceous plants only. The best soil mix is 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of leaf-mould or lime-free compost, and 1/3 of soil from the hole where you are going to plant it. Azaleas have shallow roots, so do not plant them too deep. Hardy to about -20°C (USDA zone 6b).

Last update 24-02-2010