Azalea japonica 'PURPLE SPLENDOR'

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 bloom from mid to late spring.

Purple Splendor is an old favourite with medium-sized, bright purple flowers with burgundy blotching and wavy margins of the petals. It belongs to the Gable hybrid group which means that its flowers appear later than on other Japanese azaleas – from end May until early June. It grows moderately fast into a low, almost ground-covering shrub with conspicuous layers. Its evergreen leaves are small, mid green, elliptic, and are quite reliable as far as winter persistence even if grown in sun, provided good soil conditions. They turn coppery orange and red before winter and change back to green in spring.

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. They are fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 19-01-2008; 16-12-2010