Azalea japonica
Variegata is a a female cultivar with glossy leaves heavily spotted with creamy-yellow; small purple flowers may be followed by glossy bright red berries if a male clone is nearby. Extremely tolerant of shade and dry conditions.
Medium-sized to large hardy evergreen shrub. Thrives in most soils in sun, partial or deep shade. Tolerant of poor dry soil once established but objects to cold winter winds and frost pockets.Gold-dust plant can be planted nearby tree roots, and responds well to pruning.
Informazioni su questa pianta
Azalea
Azaleas (Azalea) are flowering shrubs of the heather family that botanists include in the genus Rhododendron. Growers distinguish the evergreen Japanese azaleas, compact shrubs bred from Japanese species, and the deciduous Chinese or mollis azaleas, which are often scented and colour well in autumn. In spring they are covered in white, pink, red or purple flowers, and in yellow and orange for the deciduous types.
Azalea japonica
Japanese azaleas are slow-growing evergreen shrubs with small, glossy leaves that form dense, rounded cushions, usually under 1.5 m tall. In April and May the plant almost disappears under small flowers in white, pink, red, mauve or purple, but never yellow. They descend from Japanese species such as Rhododendron kiusianum and Rhododendron kaempferi.
Esposizione e terreno
Partial shade in an acidic, humus-rich, light soil that stays moist but drains freely. Where summers are mild it accepts more sun than the deciduous azaleas, but avoid east-facing spots, where morning sun after a frost can damage leaves and buds. Hardy in Belgium, though severe frost can harm buds and foliage; shelter it from cold wind.
Potatura e cura
The shallow root ball must never dry out: water in dry spells, also in winter after a thaw, and mulch generously. Watering a little less in August and September helps flower buds form. Trim lightly with shears just after flowering (May to June), cutting only leafy shoots and not into bare wood.
Utilizzo in giardino
Suits low borders, rock gardens, Japanese-style gardens and the front of beds with acid-loving shrubs. It can be clipped into balls or cushions or left to grow naturally, and does well in pots on a shaded balcony or terrace. Not to be confused with the tender indoor azaleas.
Caratteristiche
Botanica
| Famiglia | Ericaceae |
| Genere | Azalea |
| Specie | japonica |