Japanese, or Evergreen Azalea

Regardless of the current plant trends, Japanese Azaleas will always find a home in most gardens, even if a garden is on chalk, then a large pot full of ericaceous compost will enable the shrub to give you wonderful enjoyment!

These plants remain small, between 2ft and 4ft and tend to bear mainly single flowers and the evergreen foliage is most often small and dark-green. Azaleas should now be in tight bud and will pop open throughout April and May and you will find that all traces of foliage disappear under a swathe of spectacular colour!

Choose a well-drained spot for planting and ensure that the soil is rich in humus. Azaleas have a very shallow root system and, therefore, will need plenty of water. Ideally a top dressing of composted bark every so often will keep the plants happy. Although azaleas are found naturally in shaded woodlands they will not mind a bit more sunlight, in fact, the more sunshine, the more flowers! Dappled shade is probably best, but if there is shelter from cold, dry winds a slightly more open spot will be fine too.

The Japanese azaleas are divided into smaller groups – Kurume hybrids, Satsuki hybrids, Glenn Dale Hybrids and Vuyk’s hybrids. The varieties Blaauws pink, Vuyk's scarlet' and Palestrina are definitely worth perusing but there are many other great varieties to choose from too.

Don't forget the combination of ericaceous compost and a container if your garden is completely chalky!