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Rhododendron japonicumis a stocky Azalea , in the Rhododendron kinsfolk which can work well in bed or border , or containers with acidulent conditions .
Rhododendron japonicum , roll in the hay as Japanese Azalea , is a flower shrub – usually evergreen – with a relatively succinct form , glossy deep green leaves and flowers which come in a wide image of colour .
Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto City
It is a type of evergreen Rhododendron ( though some cultivar can be semi - evergreen and miss foliage in insensate winter ) , within the Ericaceae plant family.1Rhododendron – Azalea or Rhododendron . ( n.d . ) . Plant fact . Retrieved March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/0247-943xx.pdf
Overview
PreferredFull Sun or Partial Shade
ExposureSheltered
Height0.1 – 1 M
Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto City
Spread0.1 – 1 mebibyte
Bloom TimeApril – June
PreferredChalk , loam , sand
MoistureMoist but well - drained
pHAcidic
These plant have diminished folio than deciduous rhododendron .
Azaleas have been cultivated for centuriesand more than 10,000 vivacious cultivars have been make , which means that there are plentitude of options to reckon when choosing one of these plant life for your garden.2Azalea Society of America . ( 2018 , August 14).Learn about azaleas . Retrieved March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.azaleas.org/about-azaleas/
Azaleas are categorised under two sub - genera – Tsutsusi and Pentanthera . Nipponese evergreen plant Azalea fall within the former submarine - genus.3Rhododendron and Azalea Classification Information . ( n.d . ) . The American Rhododendron Society . find March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.rhododendron.org/classification.htmShimogamo Shrine in Kyoto City
azalea are important in Nipponese culture and Azalea festival take place across the country each yr , which are attend by many visitors .
The plant are a coarse sight in Japanese ( andJapanese - inspired ) gardens around the world .
R. japonicumis sometimes also used for bonsai , cautiously and finely train – and sometimes used as container plants or even houseplants .
Why GrowR. japonicum?
Rhododendron japonicumis idealfor a low - maintenance garden .
They are one of the most vibrant outflow - flowering shrub that can be grow in the UK , and provide their beautiful bloom for several week in April , May or June .
Because of their springtime efflorescence , they are also pop gift for Mother ’s Day and Easter .
These are a democratic mountain chain of shrub for acid - stain garden , since these areericaceous plantsthat like a more acidic territory pH.
They can help you make the most of a garden with acidulous soil condition .
Even where there is not acidic territory , these small shrubs are pretty easy to grow in pots .
Japanese Azalea Varieties
There is a immense range of Japanese Azaleas to choose from . Some popular types to consider include :
Semi - dwarf Azalea crossbreed which bloom prolifically .
Compact Azaleas which flower towards the end of springtime .
These Azaleas have dwarf tree shape , with beautiful gnarled trunks .
They were originally hybrids ofRhododendron indicumandRhododendroneriocarpum , and have been naturalise in Japan for centuries , but in the UK only since the beginning of the 20thCentury.4Kennedy , C. ( 2022 , June 28).Satsuki Evergreen Azaleas Extend the Blooming Season of the Genus Rhododendron . Seattle Japanese Garden . Retrieved March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/blog/2024-12-29/with-their-elegant-late-may-and-june-flowers-satsuki-evergreen-azaleas-extend-the-blooming-season-of-the-genus-rhododendron
These are not particularly hardy , but can be grown outdoors in milder parts of the UK , or as container plants to take indoors in winter in cooler realm .
Bloom from spring mighty through the summer months .
These were developed by Robert C Lee in Louisiana.5Borden , J. ( 2021 , September 1).Meet the valet de chambre Behind the South ’s Iconic Encore Azalea . Southern Living . Retrieved March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/encore-azalea-buddy-lee
These are a group of large blossom loan-blend formulate by Robert Derby Gartrell in the late 20thCentury.6A Guide to the Notebooks and Papers of Robert Gartrell . ( n.d . ) . University of Virginia Library . retrieve March 10 , 2023 , fromhttps://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=uva-sc/viu04020.xml
Some interesting cultivar to consider admit :
Though of course there are many , many more Japanese Azaleas to believe .
Where To Grow Japanese Azalea
Japanese Azalea is in spades a good houseplant to consider grow in a container inside your home .
Many more compact cultivars are everlasting for container growing , indoors , or outdoors with winter protection .
However , many Nipponese Azaleas can also be a great choice for a UK garden .
Many cultivar are H4 hardy , but take note that there are many Azaleas which are not as hardy and which are only options for outdoors finish in very mild and protected southern garden .
Hardier cultivars will produce well in a fertile , rich , sandy or loamy soil which is moist and comparatively moisture - retentive , without becoming waterlogged .
They will thrive in a sheltered position , in partial shade or full sun .
Whether it is serious to growR. japonicumin full Lord’s Day or partial shade will bet on your location , and the type and cultivar you have chosen to grow .
Of course , the most of import thing to remember is that , like other ericaceous plant , R. japonicumdoes command acidic ground .
The optimum pH is between 5 and 6 for most Azaleas .
‘Konigstein’
Japanese Azaleas can work well in a planting scheme alongside other Azaleas , Rhododendrons , andCamellias .
By selecting cultivars carefully you’re able to love blooms over a much longer period – some can even work well as hedges .
With Nipponese Acers and other Nipponese plants which like acidic conditions , they can be stark for a Japanese - prompt garden .
Planting
When plantingR. japonicum , it is authoritative to take care not to damage the beginning .
It is also important to plant the shrubs at the same level that they were at in their previous pot .
forefend planting them too deeply as they are illiberal of this .
The top of the ancestor ball should be above the land – take care to secure that this is not buried or the Azalea may fail to boom or even pall .
If develop Japanese Azaleas in containers , check that you pick out a container that is of a sufficient sizing , and one which allow destitute drain .
office crocks at the base to ensure water can pass through freely .
Of course , you also need to verify that you fulfil your container with ericaceous compost .
Plant Care Guidelines
A. japonicasare wide-ranging plants and some are much easy to care for and humbled maintenance than others .
Once establish , brave types in your garden can be more or less left to their own devices .
Less hardy types grow in container , or indoors , will expect a small more fear .
Watering
Once ground , most Japanese Azaleas can be comparatively drouth - large-minded .
However , it is very authoritative to irrigate well during validation , and to make certain that the soil ( or pot mix in containers ) does not dry out during dry spells .
When Azaleas are subjected to drought , they tend not to blossom as well – since they are shallow - rooted , they do call for the soil to be kept moist .
“ Rhododendron japonicum , when established , can tolerate periods of dry weather but can take some time to recover from drought , ” shares Colin Skelly , Horticultural Consultant .
“ I focus on the planting place , such as avoiding surface area that dry out in summer or provide dappled spook ( but not juiceless ghost ) .
“ Just as important is a thick layer of annual mulch ( being deliberate not to mound against the radical ) to hold moisture close to the shallow root organization .
“ Also , I do n’t clear away leafage bedding material as this aid to make a moisture - holding ground level where the roots take it . ”
Remember that you will have to irrigate container - uprise plants more frequently than those grown in the ground .
Mulching
As Colin highlights above , it is a very in force idea to mulch well around your plant life to protect the shallow roots of these bush and reduce moisture personnel casualty .
Choose an ericaceous mulch such as pine bark or pine needles to do so .
Mulching will also ply all the birthrate Japanese Azaleas need .
It is not unremarkably necessary to provide any other fertilizer for these plants .
In fact , feed too much can be counterproductive and these shrubs may not perform as well if you do so .
Pruning
azalea typically only need light pruning and Japanese Azaleas may not really need to be rationalize at all .
As mentioned above , however , some Azaleas are used as bonsai , and trained and trim into cosmetic , cosmetic forms .
If light pruning is require , this should typically be attempt just after the end of the unfolding period .
ensure you do not prune after buds for next year ’s flowers start to mould , as this would imply fewer flowers the next yr .
There is more to discover about Japanese Azaleas , but this templet should help you with the rudiments of select and farm these beautiful flowering plant .
