Rhododendron occidentale Anneke - Western Azalea

<strong>Azaleas are</strong> <strong>heather-soil bushes, small or medium-sized</strong>, very useful to <strong>brighten and enliven slightly shaded areas of garden, balcony or terrace</strong>. There are Azaleas to grow outdoors and indoor Azaleas. The <a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/shrubs-by-variety/rhododendron-and-azalea/japanese-azalea.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Azalea japonica or Japanese azalea</a> is a rounded, compact garden bush with evergreen foliage. L'<a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/shrubs-by-variety/rhododendron-and-azalea/chinese-azalea.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Azalea mollis or Chinese azalea</a>, deciduous and very cold-hardy, forms an upright bush with usually scented flowers. The indoor Azalea, often found at florists, resembles a Japanese azalea but does not withstand outdoor cold. It is grown in a cool room in winter, between 5 and 15°C. It is usually forced to produce flowers in winter, as it normally flowers around April–May. Their flowering, very abundant and attractive in spring, is sometimes scented. <strong>There are white, pink, red, bluish, orange or yellow azaleas</strong>. Flower centre is often marked by a pretty patch of yellow, orange or brown on the upper petal. Some azalea flowers appear double, because their calyx is the same colour as the corolla. One therefore sees <b>two corollas nested one within the other. English call them </b><em style="font-weight: bold">Hose-in-hose</em>. <strong>Related to rhododendrons, azaleas are easier to grow and place in garden</strong> thanks to their modest size. They thrive in partial shade in acidic, lime-free, well-drained soil. Japanese azaleas are best placed at front of border, edging or container, and deciduous azaleas suit middle or back of borders well, thanks to their elegant upright habit. Ensure soil remains relatively cool. Pruning of an azalea, optional, can be carried out after flowering.