Azalea

For other uses, see Azalea (disambiguation).

Azalea
Rhododendron 'Hinodegiri'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Subgenus:	Pentanthera  and Tsutsuji

Azaleas ( /əˈzeɪliə/) are flowering shrubs comprising two of the eight subgenera of the genus Rhododendron, Pentanthera (deciduous) and Tsutsuji (evergreen). Azaleas bloom in spring, their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees.

Differences

A George Taber azalea

Azaleas differ from rhododendrons in being generally smaller and having one blossom per stem rather than blossom clusters.^{[citation needed]}

Cultivation

Fifty-year-old Azalea

Plant enthusiasts have selectively bred azaleas for hundreds of years. This human selection has produced over 10,000 different cultivars which are propagated by cuttings.^{[citation needed]} Azalea seeds can also be collected and germinated.

Azaleas are generally slow-growing and do best in well-drained acidic soil (4.5 - 6.0 pH).^[1] Fertilizer needs are low; some species need regular pruning.

Azaleas are native to several continents including Asia, Europe and North America. They are planted abundantly as ornamentals in the southeastern US.

Disease

Main article: List of azalea diseases

Azalea leafy gall can be particularly destructive to azalea leaves during the early spring. Hand picking infected leaves is the recommended method of control.^{[citation needed]}

They can also be subject to phytophthora root rot in moist, hot conditions.^[2]

Cultural significance and symbolism

In Chinese culture, the azalea is known as "thinking of home bush" (xiangsi shu) and is immortalized in the poetry of Tu Fu and is used to rich effect in contemporary stories such as by Taiwanese author Bai Xianyong.

Also, Mobile, Alabama is home to the Azalea Trail Maids, fifty women chosen to serve as ambassadors of the city while wearing antebellum dresses.

The azalea is also one of the symbols of the city of São Paulo, in Brazil.^[3]

Azalea festivals

Azalea Festival at Nezu Jinja

United States

Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including Norfolk, Virginia;^[4] Wilmington, North Carolina (North Carolina Azalea Festival);^[5] Valdosta, Georgia;^[6] Palatka, Florida (Florida Azalea Festival);^[7].

The United States also has an Azalea society called Azalea Society of America^[8]

Japan

Motoyama, Kochi also has a flower festival in which the blooming of Tsutsuji is celebrated and Tatebayashi, Gunma is famous for its Azalea Hill Park, Tsutsuji-ga-oka. Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo, Tokyo, holds a Tsutsuji Matsuri from early April until early May.

Korea

Sobaeksan, one of the 12 well-known Sobaek Mountains, lying on the border between Chungbuk Province and Gyeongbuk has a Royal Azalea (Rhododendron schlippenbachii) Festival held on May every year. Sobaeksan has an azalea colony dotted around Biro mountaintop, Gukmang and Yonwha early in May. When Royal azaleas have turned pink in the end of May, it looks like Sobaeksan wears a pink Jeogori(Korean traditional jacket). (Information from Dpt. of Culture & Tourism, Danyang-gun County Office)

See also

• List of plants poisonous to equines

References

1. ^ Clemson University Factsheet
2. ^ Benson, D.M.. "Azalea Diseases in the Landscape". Plant pathology extension NCSU. North Carolina State University. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/odin16/odin16.htm. Retrieved 27 January 2011. 
3. ^ Municipal law of the city of São Paulo nr. 14472 of 2007.
4. ^ [http://www.azaleafestival.org/ Norfolk NATO Azalea Festival Website
5. ^ North Carolina Azalea Festival Website
6. ^ Valdosta, Georgia, Spring Celebration at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA, Azalea Festival Website
7. ^ Palatka, Florida, Azalea Festival Website
8. ^ Azalea Society of America.

External links

• Azalea Society of America
• Azalea Collection of the U.S. National Arboretum