Azalea x 'ROYAL PINK'

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 end April until end May.

Royal Pink is a great name for a great plant. This Japanese azalea offers very large, double flowers of clear pink colour. They are 8-9 cm across and come out from mid May until early June. In late May the shrub is literally flooded by the profusion of flowers that almost completely cover the foliage. The leaves are small, mid to dark green, ovate. In semi-shade and shade they remain on the shrub throughout winter, if placed in full sun some leaves may fall down. New leaves will then emerge after flowering.

Japanese azaleas can be clipped to shapes in early June. If so, do not use fertilizers enhancing growth rate. The size of new branches would get out hand and spoil the shape you are going to achieve. They need light, permeable soil that is acid, constantly moist (keep azaleas mulched at all times) and moderately fertile. Use fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas, or ericaceous plants. 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 not too deep. They are fully hardy to about -25°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 12-05-2010.