Descriptions with photos of species and varieties of azalea

Japanese azalea - varieties

This culture is characterized by the presence of many varieties that differ in the color of the buds, cover and height. Some species have a violation of leaf pigmentation, which is observed in the autumn. Japanese azalea varieties can grow up to two meters. There is also a rich variety of flowers that can be tubular or flat, white, purple, pink or coral. There are even terry options.

Japanese azalea "Adonis"

This variety is considered one of the most beautiful shrubs, characterized by a dense and rounded crown with strong shoots. The small leaves have a glossy olive-green surface. Azalea "Adonis" blooms with snow-white flowers. If there are problems with choosing a suitable place, it is better to give preference to an area fenced off from drafts and the burning sun. The shrub gets along well with fruit trees, for example, cherries and pears, as well as with oak, fir or larch.

Japanese azalea "Drapa"

Breeders are constantly working on the creation of new varieties, and among the new products, you can specify the modern variety "Drapa". He is one of the most recent. It is worth highlighting that the shrub blooms with original crimson-pink flowers that can decorate any territory. Azalea "Drapa" is covered with flowers at the end of July and blooms profusely for a long time (at least three weeks).

Japanese azalea "Melina"

This variety can be classified as dwarf, since even at the age of ten the bush does not exceed 30 cm in height and 50-60 cm in diameter. It is worth noting that it grows slowly, preferring shaded, wet and cool areas. Azalea "Melina" blooms profusely, and the flowers themselves are painted in a raspberry-pink color and collected in inflorescences. The edges of the petals are beautifully curved and fill the entire volume of the flower. Elliptical leaves of green color in summer and spring, and yellow in autumn add decorativeness to the plant.

Japanese azalea "Königstein"

Shrubs of this variety are low and slowly growing, so at the age of ten they reach about 0.5 m in height, but their width is 0.8 m. In the future, the shrub can increase in height, but it will not be higher than 1 m. Azalea "Königstein" blooms very beautifully and profusely, covered with purple-violet wide bell-shaped flowers with dark purple veins. You can watch this beauty from the end of May. This Japanese azalea looks great in compositions with low conifers and on lawns.

Japanese azalea "Blauvs Pink"

If you want to decorate the area near the house with beautiful shrubs, then this evergreen option is ideal for this purpose. It belongs to dwarf species with a dense crown, so the height of an adult plant does not exceed 80 cm. It is worth noting that in the description of the Japanese azalea "Blauvs Pink" it is indicated that the shrub can sometimes partially shed its foliage. Flowering is observed from May to June, and at this time the bush is almost completely covered with pink flowers.

Japanese azalea "Vicks Scarlet"

This option is included in the list of the most decorative azaleas varieties. The shrub is evergreen and can be used in the bonsai culture, since it is dwarf and will not reach more than 60 cm in height. Due to its small size and easy care, this Japanese azalea can be easily grown at home. As for flowering, it, like other varieties, is observed from May to June. Flowers of the variety "Vicks Scarlet" are orange-red.

Japanese azalea "Geisha orange"

The presented variety of durable shrub stands out for its winter hardiness and rapid growth, so it can grow by 25 cm per year in growth. The maximum height is 1 m, and as for the diameter, this figure is even greater - 1.5 m. Japanese azaleas "Geisha orange »Bloom with deep orange flowers, which are small, but at the same time are collected in inflorescences of 15-20 pcs.

It is important to note that the shrub will decorate the territory for a long time, so the maximum period is 30 years

Japanese azalea "Mayshnii"

The plant of this variety is a low shrub, which is characterized by the presence of a large number of branches. Young shoots are covered with numerous gray or brown hairs. In the description of the Japanese azalea "Mayshnii" it is indicated that its white flowers reach a diameter of 6-8 cm. For the cultivation of this variety, light is important, but direct sunlight should be avoided, as well as excess moisture. In addition, azalea does not like drafts, and mandatory pruning and pinching is carried out in May. It is recommended to plant a flower in a loose substrate with a fibrous structure.

Landing

When choosing plants for your personal plot, you should follow some rules.

1. Purchase seedlings in the spring. A plant planted in the fall may not take root and die in the cold.
2. Check the quality of the soil in the container when buying, a bush with a strengthened root system will hold firmly in it.
3. Choose seedlings with a large number of unblown buds, there should not be a lot of opened flowers.
4. The foliage should have a characteristic glossy sheen and intense green color, without brown spots.

The varieties "Babushka", "Kermezina", "Rosalind", "Rosinetta", "Melina", "Sachiko", "Rococo", "Petticoat", "Schneeperle" have proven themselves excellently.

The place for the shrub is chosen taking into account the quality of the soil and sunlight. Do not place plantings in an open place, with drafts and direct sunlight. The seedling hole should be twice as large as the earthen clod from the pot. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom to avoid stagnation of water. A mixture of peat and compost (humus) is added. If desired, you can purchase ready-made mixtures in specialized stores.

The distance between the bushes should not be less than half a meter. After planting, the soil is tamped and mulched with bark, peat, cut grass, watered abundantly. Planting Japanese azalea in heavy soil requires preparation: the soil is loosened and sand, peat, compost, and mineral fertilizers are added.

Most popular varieties

• Among garden rhododendrons, Japanese species are especially popular. Such type of azalea as “marushka” is very popular among florists. This plant is a low bushes that bloom in late spring with red flowers. Planting and caring is no different from caring for similar plants.
• The Canzonetta variety is a spherical bush of about the same height as the previous variety. Semi-double flowers have a carmine pink tint.
• Similar to the previous varieties and the beauty of Peticout. This Japanese azalea blooms in May, but its flowers are pink. Bushes of this type of heather grow up to 50 centimeters, they like very abundant watering.
• The Japanese variety "Mayshnii" is distinguished by the size of its flowers. The diameter of the corollas is about 6-8 centimeters. Against the background of other plants "Mayshnii" look quite impressive. And the orange flowers of the Geisha Orange variety literally blaze with orange hues.

All types of azaleas are not quite considered rhododendron, they go well with each other. The planting and care of these plants is not very different. In the Japanese natural landscape, azalea is associated with many compositional designs for ridges, flower beds and hedges.

Diseases and pests

With improper watering and fertilization, fungal infections and pests of the azalea Mandarin Lights can appear:

• Root rot is determined by wilting of leaves, damage to the root collar. The bush and root substrate requires treatment with Bordeaux liquid.Heavily infested bushes must be destroyed along with the roots.
• The rot of the buds affects the unblown flowers, the branches-buds turn brown and disappear. Spraying with copper-containing preparations will save the azalea.
• Florists treat various leaf spots, septoria, rust and mosaic viruses by spraying with a solution of Bordeaux liquid. Affected leaves are cut off.
• Phytoverm or karbofos solution will help from spider mites, false shields, it is necessary to spray the bushes with an interval of 10 to 12 days. The procedure is repeated 3 - 3 times.
• Rhododendron mites and bugs infect the leaves. Pests are harvested by hand, and the bushes themselves are treated with tincture of tobacco and soap. Pruning of heavily infested shoots is mandatory.

Types and varieties

Includes about eight hundred, and according to some sources, 1300 species. Especially such confusion in the number of species arose when Azalea and Rhododendron merged into one group. Let's consider some of them:

Rhododendron Daurian (Rhododendron dauricum): height from 50 cm to 2 m, evergreen or deciduous shrub. Oval leaves up to 1.5 - 4 cm long. Flowers are white or lilac-pink, their diameter is up to 2.5 - 4 cm. Frost-resistant type.

Rhododendron Daursky

Rhododendron pink (Rhododendron roseum): height up to 2 m, deciduous, strongly branched and slow-growing shrub. The flowers are fragrant, deep pink, mainly appear in May and bloom for about two weeks. They are collected in inflorescences up to 9 pieces. Landing site - diffused sunlight. Good winter hardiness.

Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum): height up to 1 to 1.5 m. Slow growing and evergreen shrub. Flowers up to 3 cm in diameter and white and yellow, with green and red dots in the center.

Caucasian rhododendron

Rhododendron blunt or Japanese azalea (Rhododendron obtusum): height from 50 to 1.5 m. Semi-evergreen, spreading, slowly growing shrub. The leaves are green, in autumn they acquire yellow and red-crimson color, which looks very beautiful. The flowers reach up to 4 cm in diameter, and appear in April-May, and the flowering itself lasts about a month. Loves well-lit places. Popular varieties: Rhododendron amoena - pink flowers, Rhododendron album - white flowers, Rhododendron hinodegiri - red flowers.

Rhododendron Amoena

Rhododendron Adams (Rhododendron adamsii): height 50 cm, leaves are small up to 2 cm in length and slightly less in width. Strongly spreading shrub. Flowers are pink or light pink, almost white, they are collected in thyroid inflorescences up to 15 pieces. Their diameter reaches up to 1.5 cm, and flowering occurs in June - August. Leaves of this type are used in decoctions as a stimulant.

Rhododendron Adams

Yakushiman rhododendron (Rhododendron yakushimanum): The flowers of the main plant are white-pink, but it has varieties with different flower colors. For example: Fantasy - red-pink flowers; Percy Weissman - flowers that change their color, at first salmon-peach with a raspberry edging, by the end of flowering they become peach-yellow.

Rhododendron Yakushimansky

Rhododendron katevbinsky (Rhododendron catawbiense): height up to 2 to 4 m. Slowly growing, widespread evergreen shrub. Flowers up to 15 cm in diameter, collected in inflorescences up to 20 pieces. The flowers have yellow-green specks, and the colors are white, purple, pink, red-purple, lilac. It blooms for about a month between May and July. The most popular variety: Grandiflorum with purple flowers and up to 3 m high.

Rhododendron Katevbinsky

Schlippenbach's rhododendron (Rhododendron schlippenbachii): height from 60 cm, up to 2-5 meters. It is considered the most decorative of deciduous shrubs, after the Japanese rhododendron of course. Spreading shoots, over time, covered with a grayish bark. Leaves are green, elongated, long from 4 to 10 cm... Bell-shaped flowers, up to 10 cm in diameter, emit a delicate aroma and have a pale pink color.Flowering occurs in April-May (flowering does not last long). Has high frost resistance.

Rhododendron Schlippenbach

Smirnov's rhododendron (Rhododendron smirnowii): height up to 3, less often up to 6 meters. Hardy, slow-growing shrub. Bell-shaped flowers, lilac-red-pink, up to 6 cm in diameter. Winter-hardy.

Rhododendron Smirnov

Rhododendron yellow or Azalea Pontic (Rhododendron luteum): height up to 2 to 4 m, deciduous shrub, grows strongly in width. Flowering lasts for a short time between April and June. The flowers are yellow or orangeish in color, their petals are elongated and pointed at the end, and the stamens look like long curved cilia. Frost resistant.

Rhododendron Yellow

Rhododendron hybrid (Rhododendron hybridum): height from 20 cm to 5 m. Flowering occurs in May-June. Color range and flower size can be varied. Winter hardiness can also be different. Popular frost-resistant varieties: Alfred - lilac-purple flowers, height up to 1.6 m; Annushka - pink flowers, height up to 1 m; Aureolin - cherry-peach flowers, changing color to light peach-yellow, height up to 1 m; Brocat - flowers are dark red, with a burgundy-black border and black dots, height up to 1 to 1.5 m.

Hybrid rhododendron, Bernstein variety

Step by step care instructions

Seat selection

For landing, you should choose a place protected from drafts and gusty winds. Azalea Mandarin Lights grows in a light diffused partial shade. Can be planted on sunny slopes, but direct midday sun should be avoided.

What should be the soil?

It is recommended to plant Mandarin Lights azalea on acidic, loose, well-drained, fertile soils.

The composition of the substrate for the Mandarin Lights variety:

• Leafy land.
• Peat.
• Coniferous litter.
• The ratio is 3: 2: 1.
• Drainage layer.

Drainage is formed from coarse sand and broken brick or gravel. Lime crushed stone, which alkalizes the substrate, must not be used.

Landing

Seedlings grown from seeds can be planted throughout the summer. Saplings - Layers are usually planted in spring.

Planting procedure for azalea Mandarin Lights:

1. It is required to dig a landing hole 60 - 70 cm wide and half a meter deep.
2. At the bottom of the hole, a drainage layer with a thickness of 20 - 25 cm breaks down.
3. The seedling is placed vertically in the hole.
4. The bush is covered with a substrate along the root collar so as not to deepen the root.
5. The soil is mulched around the seedling.
6. The seedling is watered abundantly.

Advice! The composition of the mulch includes rotten needles, moss, peat, medium-sized pieces of pine bark.

Temperature

Azalea Mandarin Lights is a frost-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures down to -34 C. In a temperate climate, in a snowy winter, shelter is not necessary, it is required to mulch the trunk circle. This variety prefers a humid cool climate, the optimum temperature for growth and development of buds is 12-15 ° C. In summer, with abundant watering and daily spraying, it can withstand heat up to 30 ° C.

Watering

Azalea Mandarin Lights is a very moisture-loving variety, so the substrate should not be allowed to dry out. Good moisture is required, close to the natural conditions of the tropics during the period of active growth of young branches and ripening of leaves.

In autumn, in wet weather, watering should be reduced. Watering should only be done in dry, stable weather.

It is imperative to mulch the near-trunk soil circle, this is necessary to preserve moisture and protect the roots from frost.

Top dressing

Azalea Mandarin Lights is fertilized in spring - nutrient mixtures and compost are added to the trunk circle.

During the ripening of the buds, it is recommended to fertilize with mineral fertilizers:

• superphosphate;
• ammonium;
• potassium.

Important! Fertilizers are applied not at the root, but at a distance of 20 - 25 cm from the center of the bush.

Pruning

Pruning is usually done 2 to 3 weeks after the Mandarin Lights azalea blooms. Old branches, damaged shoots are cut off.In order for the crown to develop magnificently and correctly, the entire bush is cut off, over the entire surface. Strongly branched shoots are removed so that the bush develops freely and evenly.

To prevent diseases, the sections after trimming are processed with paint on drying oil.

Transfer

The transplant is carried out in early spring, it can be transplanted before and after flowering. Azalea Mandarin Lights quickly adapt to new conditions, if you keep the old, well-soaked earthen lump.

Prevention of various problems

If the Japanese azalea withers, does not bloom, the leaves are lethargic and lifeless, the flower is sick.

• It is necessary to check for harmful insects and eliminate the problem by treating with chemical solutions.
• It is imperative to observe the conditions for keeping the Japanese azalea. From sharp freezing, from drafts, it can get sick with necrosis - the leaves turn brown. It is urgent to adjust the temperature and rearrange the azalea in a brighter place or block it from drafts and gusts of wind.
• Discolored spots appeared on the leaves - you need to acidify the soil when watering.
• When the leaves began to crumble and turn yellow, the Japanese beauty overheated, she lacks moisture. Increase watering, add a daily shower or spraying.
• With the same symptoms, improper soil may be the cause. Here you need to transplant into the "correct" substrate.

All life on Earth requires care and love. In order for the Japanese azalea to grow and give extraordinary flowering flower beds, you need to make a lot of effort and work. Then a blooming paradise will appear in the garden - a miracle of the fabulous Japanese azalea.

Varieties of Japanese rhododendron

In Europe, the species of Japanese rhododendron has been known since 1861. Around the same time, Anthony Waterrer Sr. began breeding him with Ghent azaleas. He got a lot of charmingly beautiful varieties. And since then, the Japanese species of rhododendrons have become widely used in breeding.

Consider the most popular varieties:

• Japanese salmon rhododendron. Winter-hardy deciduous shrub, grows 20-25 cm per year, grows up to 2 meters. Its flowers with a large yellow-orange spot are completely pink with a delicate orange tint (salmon). It is one of the most common rhododendrons.
• Rhododendron Japanese cream. The shrub is shorter than other typical Japanese rhododendron varieties. The flowers of the plant are greenish-cream, with yellow veins. In autumn, the creamy rhododendron changes the color of the leaves from green to yellow.
• Rhododendron is yellow. It grows in thickets, gives long shoots of different sizes, so the bush has a chaotic shape. The yellow, bright hue of the flowers persists during flowering for about 20 days. The photo shows what is the uniqueness of this variety: the inflorescences consist of more than 20 flowers.
• Rhododendron "Praecox". The variety was bred from wild species in the last century. The bush is loose, up to 140 cm. Lilac-pink flowers can be seen already in March, provided that the winter was mild enough. Funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers are located on the bush singly or in short racemes.
• Rhododendron "Geisha red". It is a small cushion-shaped shrub. In 10 years, it can reach a height of only 50–80 cm. This Japanese azalea has many medium-sized red flowers. Blossoming in May – June. The plant is hardy, but needs shelter for the winter.
• Rhododendron "Silvester". The variety was bred in Holland. The ten-year-old bush is 75–100 cm high. This flower is distinguished by the glowing appearance of pale pink flowers. The variety is good for beginner gardeners, it is very unpretentious, takes root well.

Care

We will understand the peculiarities of planting a garden plant in open ground and other nuances of general care.

Choosing a place for a plant

For Japanese azalea, shade and partial shade are preferable, it is best to plant so that the light falls diffused.

Note! This species does not tolerate the burning sun.But he is also afraid of drafts, gusty winds, you need to pick up a secluded corner among conifers.

What should be the soil?

If the soil on the site is clayey, heavy, it requires processing. Additional components are introduced to a depth of 50 cm - sand, small pebbles, needles, peat and other leavening agents.

Soil composition:

• peat - 1 part;
• leaf humus - 1 part;
• land from the landing site - 1 part.

Good drainage, constant moisture, but not damp soil. Mulching with pine bark or conifers is mandatory - it prevents "raids" of garden pests, weeds and retains moisture.

You can use the following soil mixture:

• sandstone - 2 parts;
• sour peat - 2 parts;
• compost - 1 part;
• drainage - pebbles, expanded clay.

The soil should be acidic, loose, light, without lime. When disembarking, the old earthen lump is preserved - this is how the Japanese azalea is better accepted.

Outdoor planting

Planting is best done in spring or summer. The landing procedure is simple:

1. Prepare a pit 70 - 80 cm wide, 50 cm deep.
2. To a depth, evenly distribute the drainage with a layer of 10 - 15 cm - coarse sand, broken brick.
3. A transplant is desirable together with an earthen lump, so that the flower will begin faster.
4. Cover with prepared soil.
5. Water abundantly.
6. Mulch the soil around the seedling.

Temperature

There are varieties of Japanese azaleas that grow only in southern conditions - they tolerate heat well - up to 25 - 30 ° C, the main thing is a shady place and daily spraying. Such azaleas are not frost-resistant, they must be covered for the winter.

Hybrids from northern varieties are more hardy - you don't need to cover in winter, they can withstand temperatures down to -25 ° C.

Watering

Important! Water over the entire surface of the soil, watering at the root washes out the root system.

The best time to water is in the early morning or evening after sunset. Water every day in the summer. Shower or spraying is advisable. In early spring and autumn, watering should be limited, and before wintering, watering can only be done in dry weather.

Top dressing

Young Japanese azalea is fertilized in spring, before flowering - mullein is added. After flowering, fertilization is recommended: a mixture of potassium and phosphorus - 2: 1 part of the solution. Already adult bushes are fertilized with complex special dressings 1 time in 8-10 days.

The soil needs an acidic environment, so it should be watered with acidified water - 0.5 tsp. citric acid per 1 liter of water. Once every 2 weeks, you can water with a solution of liquid sour peat, the peat is pre-filled with water.

Top dressing, like watering, is done at a short distance from the root - 15 - 20 cm from the center of the bush.

Pruning

Be sure to clean the bush from faded flowers, dried twigs. Very long shoots are cut by a third. The more carefully the pruning is carried out, the more new shoots will be in the spring, the flowering will be generous and abundant, and the flowers will be larger.

Pruning is usually carried out along the entire periphery of the bush, tangled, too thick and wilted branches are cut out, thereby the shape of the bush is laid, and the active appearance of buds is ensured.

Pruning is carried out in the fall. Places of cuts should be treated with charcoal, garden varnish or simple paint on linseed oil.

Transfer

A very young Japanese azalea can be transplanted every year. It is advisable to disturb an adult bush less often - once every 2-3 years.

Recommendation. When transferring, it is safer to use the transfer method. The flower painlessly moves to another place, while retaining the old earthen lump.

When transplanting, the roots should not be too deep, the base of the trunk should not be covered. After transplanting, good watering is required. Do not loosen the soil, as you can damage the delicate and fragile root processes.

Detailed instructions for rhododendron care Cunninghams White, Yakusheman, Adams, Caucasian, Nova Zembla, Azurro, Dense, Yellow, Nap Hill and Japanese Geisha can be found in separate materials.