The Japanese azalea is, as its name suggests, a plant native to Japan that blooms in April / early May, for 3 to 4 weeks.
The needs of the Japanese azalea
The Japanese azalea is an evergreen plant that should be planted in a sunny or semi-shaded location, but never in a hot sun. There is only one requirement: plant it in heather soil, i.e. acid soil with a pH of 5.5.
Pruning your azalea
The Japanese azalea can be pruned just after flowering, when the branches are a bit long. The recovery on the wood is done without any worry and the pruning will not hinder the blooming the following year.
The azalea, a hardy plant
The azalea is a hardy plant that does not fear frost. In the open ground it can withstand temperatures as low as -15 / -17°C.
The only need to please your azalea is to keep the soil always moist.
Growing azaleas in pots
For pot-grown azaleas, only use heather soil as a substrate, which you will place in a well-drained container. In winter, if the temperature drops below -10°C, protect the pot to prevent the root ball from freezing (a potted plant is less resistant to cold than a plant in the ground).
Feeding your azalea
As is the case for all heathland plants, the soil must be fertilized once a year. Apply organic fertilizer on the surface, in early spring, just after flowering. This will be enough to keep the plant fed all season.
Multiplying the azalea
The azalea multiplies by cuttings, during the summer.
The different varieties of Japanese azaleas
There are many varieties of Japanese azaleas: small-flowered and large-flowered varieties, varieties that keep their green foliage throughout the winter, and others, such as the 'Johanna' variety, that turn purple. Others still will have a light green foliage...
All this range allows to play with the flowers in spring and with the foliage in winter.
