Azalea japonica 'KÖNIGSTEIN'

Japanese azaleas are very popular features of our gardens. In their home climate they grow to relatively substantial shrubs, as opposed to limited sizes in our continental, dry climate. They are very floriferous, maintenance-free shrubs that usually bloom from mid to late spring.

Königstein is an old fortress near Dresden, Germany, as well as a name for this Japanese azalea. It was bred at Pillnitzer castle gardens, close to Königstein fortress. It is a slow and dense growing plant with profusion of large, 3-4 cm across, widely open, purple-violet flowers with a darker blotch just like rhododendrons have. Leaves are small, elliptic to oval, mid green in summer changing to coppery red from autumn until spring. They are reliably evergreen. Königstein azalea flowers in May and grows about 50 cm tall and 80 cm wide in 10 years.

Japanese azaleas can be clipped to shapes in early June. If so, do not use fertilizers enhancing growth rate. The size of new branches would get out hand and spoil the shape you are going to achieve. They need light, permeable soil that is acid, constantly moist (keep azaleas mulched at all times) and moderately fertile. Use fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas, or ericaceous plants. The best soil mix is 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of leaf-mould or lime-free compost, and 1/3 of soil from the hole where you are going to plant it. Azaleas have shallow roots, so do not plant not too deep. Fully hardy to -26°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 08-01-2010; 24-02-2016