Azalea japonica ('Christmas Cheer') 'IMA-SHOJO'

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.

Ima-Shojo is a Japanese azalea whose alternative name is ‚Christmas Cheer‘. Wonder why if the Japanese original says ‘virgin’ … Anyway. This variety has rich purple red flowers from early May for about 2-3 weeks. Not growing too fast, it forms a small shrub with evergreen leaves that are elliptic to oval, partly glossy, mid green and turn bronze in autumn and winter.

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 them too deep. This variety proved hardy to -24°C° (USDA zone 6) but will probably take lower temperatures.

Last update 17-12-2014