Azalea x 'SUMMER SUN'

Among Japanese azaleas there are groups that originated as natural hybrids or were hybridized by botanists. Satsuki is a name for one group of hybrid azaleas that are crosses of rhododendron indicum and rhododendron tamurae or rhododendron eriocarpum.

If you are fond of summer-flowering hybrid azaleas then this variety can easily become a jewel in your garden. Its name is Summer Sun and it is another Satsuki azalea. Soft red flowers look very attractive on the background of deep green foliage. They open in late June or early July and continue blooming for 4 weeks. Evergreen leaves are rather narrow, elliptic, and glossy. This plant does not grow fast, it makes a low, compact shrub that can make a lovely flowering feature in beds and borders around swimming pools and on patios that are mostly in use during summer months.

Satsuki azaleas are quite compact and bushy growing but can be clipped to shapes in early July after flowering. 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. It can be placed in full sun if grown in excellent soil with equal moisture throughout the season. 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. If leaves turn yellow or fall down after winter it is planted in wet or heavy soil. So far we have experienced its hardiness down to -21°C (USDA zone 6b), preferably located in winter shade or if grown in full sun they will do better with fir branches or white woven in case of heavy frost and sunny strong sunlight.

Last update 16-12-2010; 08-01-2012