Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Rhododendron indicum or Azalea

The genus Rhododendron, family Ericaceae, includes more than 1000 species of shrubs and trees native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Some species are: Rhododendron indicum, Rhododendron ponticum, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron arboreum, Rhododendron tomentosum, Rhododendron ferrugineum.

Common names: Azalea, Southern Indian Azalea, Indian rhododendron, Indian azalea, Evergreen azalea or Satsuki azalea.

They are evergreen shrubs with a compact bearing and thin branches that reach 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in height. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate in shape and bright green. The attractive and abundant flowers (single or double) appear at the tips of the branches and can be pink, lilac, white or of various colors. They bloom in spring.

They are used to form bushy groups, next to walls, as isolated specimens and in pots for balconies, patios and terraces.

Rhododendron indicum grows in shady and semi-shady exposures. They resist frost well but do not like the intense heat of the Mediterranean summer.

The soil can be a mixture of garden soil with peat and heather mulch.

Water frequently, especially in summer, because they do not resist drought.

Fertilize with mineral fertilizer every 15 days from before flowering to the end of it and with compost in autumn.

They allow a light pruning after flowering to maintain a compact appearance.

They do not usually present serious pest and disease problems.

They are propagated by cuttings in spring or summer and by air layering in summer.

Images of the shrub Rhododendron indicum or Azalea