Azaleas are perennial shrubs that are distributed all over the globe. Thanks to abundant flowering and a variety of forms, this plant has won the hearts of a large number of gardeners.
The plant is slow growing, but easy to care for and very hardy (comfortable temperature +5 to +22 degrees). The flowering period of the azalea varies depending on the species and cultivar.
Varieties of plant
Azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron. Among the forms of the plant there are often varieties from 0.5 m to 3 m tall, with different leaf shape, petal color and life cycle, which allows you to choose the most suitable flower to decorate the garden or the interior of the house.
Depending on when the azalea blooms, there are 3 groups of the plant:
- early (blooming from December to January);
- medium (blooming from January to March);
- Late bloomers (blooming from February to April).
The total number of plant varieties exceeds 350.
Botanical circles distinguish two kinds of azaleas:
- Deciduous – those that drop their leaves at the end of fall;
- evergreens – retain foliage throughout the year.
The life cycle of garden and potted plants includes a period of active flowering and a period of rest.
Popular azalea varieties
If you find out in advance how often and how many times a year a particular azalea variety blooms, you can confidently decorate the room so that not a day goes by without the appearance of buds on different plant bushes.
Some of the most popular varieties include:
|
Conventional species |
Variety |
Floweringtime |
|
Early bloomers |
А. Adventglochene – Characterized by the appearance of large crimson bells (up to 60 mm) with terrycloth or plain edges. |
December to January. |
| Dresden 1936 – distinguished by the appearance of large, pink buds (up to 60 mm) with medium-flowered petals. | ||
| Doberlug – starts blooming with the appearance of bright, large buds (up to 75 mm). The petals are dark pink with a terry edge and white edging. | ||
| Orange Boven – medium to large flowers (50 to 65 mm) of flame orange are common. The edges of the petals are semi-flowered. | ||
| Enzette Dagmar – distinguished by the appearance of large (up to 70 mm) flowers of deep pink color. | ||
| Erie – blooms with large (up to 70 mm) rose-colored buds with white edging on the petals. | ||
| Helmut Vogel is one of the earliest azalea varieties. Flowering is characterized by the appearance of large (up to 60 mm) purple-colored buds with terry petals. | ||
| Weise Sheme – pleases gardeners with large (up to 60 mm), opened flowers of open, funnel-shaped white-pink shade. | ||
|
Medium-flowering |
Albert-Elizabeth – plant variety with impressive buds (up to 85 mm) of light pink or snow-white color, the edges of the petals are noticeable bright red edging. |
January to March. |
| Impromptus – features two-veined, fragrant flowers of bright pink. The buds reach 79 mm. | ||
| Scarlet flower – compact bush with large flowers (up to 98 mm) bright pink. | ||
| Apollo is a variety with impressive (up to 70 mm) buds and a warm red pattern on the petals. The edge of the petal is even or with a faintly expressed macerness. | ||
| Leopold Astrid is characterized by large (up to 70 mm) buds with a fluttery, crimped edge. The petals have an edging of light pink or deep red. | ||
| Max Scheme – pleases the eye with salmon-colored buds up to 65 mm in diameter. The petals of the flowers are framed by a white border and feature a corrugated edge. | ||
| Florida – pleases the eye with medium-sized flowers (from 55 to 60 mm) of deep red hue. Petals with a smooth edge. | ||
|
Late bloomers |
Celestinum – flowers are large (60 mm), carmine in color. The edge of the petals flat. |
February to April. |
| Avenir is a tall plant variety with large (up to 78 mm) flowers of salmon-colored shade. At the edges of the petals there is a border of lighter color. | ||
| Esmeralda is a compact medium-sized shrub with a deep pink color of the buds. Flowers are small (up to 26 mm) with white petals at the base and a wavy edge. | ||
| Gibraltar is a shrub characterized by orange, amazingly shaped buds. The flowers are bell-shaped, with petals with a wavy edge. A deciduous variety. | ||
| Stella Maris is a snow-white deciduous shrub with medium-sized, swollen petals. A fine mottled pattern of pink may occur at the base of the flower. | ||
| Celestma is an expressive flower with crimson buds (up to 70 mm). | ||
| Concinna is a variety with impressive sized open buds (up to 70mm) with a funnel shape. The color of the petals is lilac, there are crimson speckles, the edge is even. | ||
| Sakuntala is a mottled azalea variety, characterized by the presence of green speckles in the green shed of a large flower (up to 70 mm). The edge is not floppy, the color of the petals is white. |
Small-flowered varieties of azaleas are well suited for growing at home:
- Addy Wery is a small shrub (up to 120 cm tall), with a dense crown of small pink-red flowers. Flowering period May-June, the variety deciduous.
- Adonis is a small shrub (up to 80 cm tall), but very lush shrub, characterized by the appearance of snow-white flowers in the crown. Blossoms in May, an evergreen species.
- Kocho no mai is an evergreen variety with pointed, light crimson petals. The flowering period is from November to April.
- Knut Erven – can please the gardener with buds of deep red color. The size of the flowers reaches 60-65 mm. Flowering is observed from November to April.
- Hexe – has dark red buds with a wine tint. The size of the flowers is medium (up to 55 mm), the edges of the petals are terry. Duration of flowering of 1 flower reaches a month, the total flowering is observed from November to April.
- Walfbers is distinguished by its unique coloration. Petals of large flowers (up to 75 mm) are colored in rich, light pink color, 3 upper rows have white edging and red speckles. The shape is funnel-shaped, the edge is smooth. The variety is a late bloomer.
When the indoor azalea blooms, you can see many small flowers appear, unlike the larger garden forms.
How many times a year does the azalea bloom?
Peculiarities of azalea flowering:
- How many times does an azalea bloom? The blooming of the plant depends on the variety chosen and its individual characteristics (early blooming, medium blooming, late blooming).
- The average size of the buds can vary depending on the condition and age of the plants from 3 cm to the maximum diameter (6-7 cm).
- The duration of flowering is from 2 weeks to 2 months.
- When does the indoor azalea bloom at home? The indoor plant more often blooms during the winter months, while garden crops require many factors associated with the warm season (light, temperature).
- Garden varieties are characterized by slow development, which is why the first flowering is observed only in the 3rd-4th year of life of the perennial shrub.
Experienced gardeners are reminded that azaleas do not tolerate dry and hot conditions, but instead tend to be cool. To increase flowering time, it is recommended to lower the temperature slightly after the buds appear.
Care features
Azaleas are plants whose condition is directly related to the quality of care and the presence of the necessary conditions. Thus, if the temperature, humidity, light and other parameters are observed, a long and abundant flowering of the shrub can be achieved.
For favorable growth and flowering it is necessary:
- Full-fledged watering. Rhododendron requires a lot of moisture, so you should water the plant once every 2 days (water for watering should be pre-distilled), but stagnant moisture in the soil can also lead to a violation of the structure of the roots and death of the flower. When the rainy seasons begin, it is not necessary to bring the flowers indoors, azaleas tolerate rainfall well.
- Watering of indoor varieties. Indoor plants need slightly acidic water for watering (a little citric or succinic acid per 1 liter of solution). If the soil in the pot dries out, it is recommended to drop the flower (without taking it out of the vessel) into a large container with water for a short time to restore the moisture level.
- Lighting. The plant requires diffused light, on the site azaleas should be placed in the shade. Direct rays and planting on the dry side is strictly contraindicated.
- Choice of soil. Plants prefer peat substrates (soil acidity pH 4-4,5), loosening is strictly contraindicated because of the high sensitivity of the roots.
- Constant, cool ambient temperature. The optimum temperature for keeping the plant is between +10 and +15 degrees. Spraying and planting in clay pots is also used to cool the plant.
- Pruning. Timely conduct of the removal of flowering buds and wilted leaves, the formation of the crown.
- Feeding. Mixtures for orchids and specialized preparations are used for fertilizing the azalea, during the appearance of the buds, the plant should be fertilized with superphosphates.
- Repotting. Repotting is carried out after the plant blooms. Annual transplanting (every year for the first 3 years) is important.
Due to the fact that the temperature suitable for plant life is unsuitable for humans, gardeners recommend putting dry ice on the plant’s pot or regularly spraying the flower with cold water.
A wide range of species and varieties of the plant allows the most complete decoration of the garden and interior rooms in the house. Azaleas are fastidious plants that need careful care, with their first blooms not seen until the 3rd-4th year of growth.
Despite some challenges, azaleas remain a favorite of many gardeners because of their perennial growth and rich blooms.
The azalea is a beautiful flower that blooms in the spring. It typically blooms between late march and early may, depending on the region you live in. The amount of time it takes to bloom also varies depending on factors such as climate and care given to the plant. Knowing when your azaleas will bloom and how much can help you plan your outdoor activities accordingly!