Azalea is native to South Eastern United States It makes up a making up part of the genus Rhododendron.
Rather than being low and dense, some native azaleas grow quite tall and airy. As garden plants they eventually reach a height of 5 feet; as pot plants they bloom when only 8 to 10 inches tall.
Azalea flowers literally blanket the plant. The color spectrum ranges from pure white through all shades of pink to cerise, and some of the hybrids have flowers, which are lined and flaked. They lose their leaves in the fall. Azalea varieties have a wide variation. The variations are used to identify different azalea varieties, in terms of their flower parts: corolla the petals or lobes, typically 5 and joined at the inner base of the flower. The upper petal is known as the dorsal or upper lobe. The two petals to the side of the upper lobe are known as the upper wings. The lower petals are known as the lower wings.
Calyx is the small green triangles, typically 5, at the outer base of the flower. Stamens are the male organs of the flower, typically 1 or more per petal, each consisting of a threadlike stalk (filament) extending from the inner base of the flower to a small knob at the end (anther), containing pollen.
Azaleas form flower buds in late summer and autumn, and bloom in the spring. Gentle forcing will produce flowers in the house during the winter and very early spring. Azaleas are grown from seed and propagated by stem cuttings. The plants shouldn't be pruned, as it spoils their naturally graceful habit.
Native azaleas are woodland plants. They prefer high, dappled shade, plentiful moisture with excellent drainage, and a humus-rich, acid soil. They do well in cultivation, however. Whereas in the forest they bloom irregularly due to sporadic sunlight, when grown in light shade in mid-Atlantic gardens, they grow faster, leaf out better, and flower more evenly and profusely.
Did you know?
· The Satsuki azalea group, derived from Rhododendron indicum and related species, are very popular.
· A traditional alcoholic beverage made from azalea blossoms, called Dugyeonju is produced in Korea
