Japanese Azaleabelongs to an evergreen group of azaleas, up to 150 cm tall, available in many varieties. It will look great among other heather plants, so it cannot be missing in your garden! Get to know the most interestingvarieties of Japanese azaleaFind out what it should look likegrowing Japanese azaleaand what is the best way towintering Japanese azalea in the garden.
Japanese azalea 'Babuschka'
Japanese azalea - varieties
Japanese azaleacomes in many varieties. It is an indispensable shrub in every garden, blooming in May.Japanese azalea varietiesdiffer in flower color, habit and height. Some of them show better frost resistance and discoloration of leaves in autumn. Among the varieties of Japanese azalea, we find shrubs with wonderful flowers resembling small roses. Meet the most interestingvarieties of Japanese azalea !
Japanese azalea 'Babuschka'- this interesting variety of azaleas with a compact habit, reaches 50 cm in diameter after 10 years. It has dark green leaves and numerous, semi-double, crimson-pink flowers. 'Babuschka' is one of the most decorative varieties of Japanese azalea.
Japanese Azalea 'Eisprinzessin'- this azalea grows 30 cm high and 50 cm wide, blooms white, and its flowers are full, decorated inside with a delicate cream pattern.
Japanese azalea 'Ledicanense'- this is the Japanese azalea variety considered to be the most frost-resistant in its group.It has a loose and widely erect habit. It grows up to 60 cm in height after 10 years. It is characterized by very interesting lilac flowers with an interesting red ornament on the upper 3 petals.
Japanese azalea 'Maruschka'- a very attractive variety with numerous, small, carmon red flowers. Leaves turn brown in winter. After 10 years, this azalea reaches 40 cm in height.
Japanese Azalea 'Kermesina'- is one of the more compact varieties of Japanese azalea to cultivate, reaching 80 cm in height and 100 cm in width after 10 years. It has numerous ruby red flowers.
Japanese azalea 'Kermesina Rose'- this is a mutation of the 'Kermesina' cultivar. It produces numerous tiny pink flowers with attractive ruby stripes on the petals. In autumn the leaves turn a purple red color.
Japanese azalea 'Sachsenstern'
Japanese azalea - cultivation
WJapanese azalea cultivationit should be taken into account that, like other heather plants, it has specific soil requirements. It needs a substrate rich in humus, permeable, light structure and acidic pH 4.5-5.5, as well as a suitable site.
Before planting azaleas, the site should be properly prepared, the soil should be weeded, and it should be dug with organic fertilizers - compost or manure. Then acidify with peat, composted bark or acidifying fertilizers such as ammonium sulphate or potassium sulphate.Plant Japanese azaleapreferably in spring. We prepare the stand in a quiet, slightly shaded place. We immerse the pot with the plant in a bucket of water for half an hour, then plant it in the pit at the same depth as the azalea grew in the container, but twice the diameter of the pot. At the bottom we pour the ready-made azalea substrate mixture or sour peat.If the soil is heavy, it is a good idea to put a 5 cm pebble drainage on the bottom.
Ingrowing Japanese azaleaproper fertilization is also important. This plant likes to be fed with fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium, and above all with physiologically acidic ones. The first dose should be given at the beginning of the growing season to stimulate the flowering process of the azalea. The next one at the end of August (here it is worth choosing special autumn fertilizers for azaleas and rhododendrons), thanks to which the azalea will properly form buds for the next season. In the cultivation of Japanese azalea, one should not forget about mulching the soil under the shrubs. Pine bark mulch will protect the shallow growing root system against drought, frost and weed infestation.
Japanese azalea - wintering
Japanese azalea bushesrequire secluded and sheltered positions, as they are not fully frost-proof. Of course, among the wide range of varieties we can find those more resistant to low temperatures, but you should take into account the fact that all evergreen plants are more susceptible to freezing than those shedding their leaves for winter.Therefore, beforeJapanese azalea winteringit is worth covering it with shade or agrotextile, and cover the base of the bush with a garland of coniferous branches.Japanese azaleas very often do not freeze and dry during winter . This is due to the fact that on sunny days they lose a lot of water in the process of transpiration, but at the same time they cannot replenish it, because the soil layers with the water they contain are frozen. That is why it is so important to water azaleas in winter. The shallow root system of Japanese azalea also requires the use of mulch. It will not only protect against excessive water evaporation from the soil, but also protect the roots from frost. The litter should be of an appropriate thickness, i.e. about 10-15 cm. You can read more about it in the article how to protect rhododendrons for the winter.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
