Azalea japonica 'PINK SPIDER'

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 June, but summer hybrids bloom as late as in July.

Pink Spider is a fabulous Japanese azalea for collectors who obviously do not suffer from arachnophobia. This exotic looking jewel produces semi-double flowers with narrow, acuminate flower petals. They are bright pink with purple pink dotting and white margins. They open in profusion from about mid May for 2-3 weeks on the background of evergreen, narrowly elliptic, dark green leaves. The plant forms a compact, somewhat spreading shrub.

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. Pink Spider has so far been tested in winter temperature down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a), but is expected to withstand a few degrees lower in a sheltered location.

Last update 15-11-2019.