Azalea japonica 'Hachjuli' JULIETTE (Syn. Hachmann's Juliette)

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.

JULIETTE is an evergreen Japanese azalea bred by Holger Hachmann in 1990 as a cross between Squirrel and Chippewa. It was introduced in 2004. Its flowers are 3-4 cm across, open wide, soft red to salmon red with orange tones and slightly undulated margins. They come out in May for 2-3 weeks. Evregreen leaves are small, narrowly elliptic, dark green, and glossy. The plant grows moderately into an upright shrub first, changing to rounded with age. Mature plants are about one meter tall and wide. In international registers its name was changed to Hachmann’s Juliette due to a collision with an already existing variety name Juliette.

Azaleas usually need no pruning but can be clipped to shapes from June to early July immediately 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. If 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 always mulched) 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 refined soil from the hole where you are going to plant it. Azaleas have shallow roots, so do not plant them too deep. If leaves turn yellow or fall down after winter it is planted in wet or heavy soil. Hardy to about -27 °C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 08-01-2024