Azalea japonica 'FETE DES MERES'

Japanese azaleas are 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.

Fete des Meres (Mother’s Day) is a Japanese azalea bred and introduced by August van Hecke from Belgium in 1970. It is a Kurume hybrid, though sometimes listed under Ghent azaleas, offering medium-large, single flowers, 4-6 cm across, cerise to dark raspberry pink with a few dwarf sepals in the centre, still it cannot be classified as semi-double. They commonly open in Belgium in the first week of May making a stunning display precisely on Mother’s Day, hence its name. In C.E. climate they bloom from mid May and open their buds continuously for 2-3 weeks on the background of handsome, glossy foliage. Evergreen leaves are narrowly obovate, small, and dark green. Fete des Meres azalea makes a compact, bushy shrub about one meter tall and wide.

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 never plant them too deep. Hardy to abt. -25 °C (USDA zone 5b-6).

Last update 23-05-2021.