Azalea japonica 'Snow' - Japanese azalea

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. Azaleas are very floriferous, maintenance-free shrubs that bloom from end April until end May. Snow is a pure white variety with large, scented flowers. It grows moderately fast into an irregular-shaped shrub.

Leaves are mid to dark green, ovate, only about 2-3 cm long. In semi-shade and shade they remain on the shrub throughout winter, if placed in full sun it might lose a great portion of them. New leaves will then emerge after flowering.

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).