Azalea x 'CAROLINA' Japanese hybrid azalea

Hybrid azalea Carolina is a typical item for collectors and everyone who loves multi-coloured flowers. Their centres are almost entirely purplish-pink while the margins show rich white variegation. This effect is similar to another Robin Hill variety called Conversation Piece, however, Carolina does not often revert to overall pink like Conversation Piece does. The flowers are 5-6 cm across and come out from late May until mid June in zone 6.

And now, fanfare for an extraordinary feature: Carolina blooms FOR THE SECOND TIME in AUTUMN. Not a couple of flowers, for sure. We counted as many as 40 opened flowers on a one-meter tall bush in late October, and a few buds yet ready to open. This pushes Carolina right up the chart of the most demanded flowering plants.

The evergreen leaves are narrow, elliptic, deep green and some of them change to honey yellow and coppery orange and red before winter, just like Purple Splendor variety. It forms an airy bush which can be clipped to become more compact and denser. If so, do it immediately after flowering. After pruning don’t use fertilizers enhancing growth rate. The size of new branches would get out hand and spoil the shape you are going to achieve.

Azaleas need light, permeable soil that is acidic, 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 them too deep. Grow them in preferably in semi-shade, or a position with filtered sunlight, or in a place with full sun for only part of the day. This one is hardy to about -24°C (USDA zone 6), but may take a few degrees lower.

Last update 18-12-2010.