Rhododendron Soir de Paris

Rhododendron 'Soir de Paris' is an attractive variety of Chinese azalea with splendid clusters of light pink flowers in late spring. These lovely star-shaped flowers are pleasantly fragrant and catch everyone's attention. This medium-sized bush gradually widens with age and has beautiful deciduous green foliage. It is very hardy and easy to grow. It needs humus-bearing, acidic soil that does not dry out in summer. This plant needs cool to moist conditions.

In terms of botany, azaleas are a type of rhododendron, with flowers that have 5 stamens instead of 10. They belong to the Ericaceae family, which is rich in ornamental species such as heathers, kalmias, and leucothoe, as well as small fruits like blueberries or strawberry trees.

Rhododendron 'Soir de Paris' was introduced to the market in 1938 by the breeder B.B.C. Felix de Boskoop in the Netherlands. Despite its age, this variety has retained all its attractiveness and won a prize in 2017 at the Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard plant festival, dedicated that year to fragrant plants.

This medium-sized bush starts its growth with an upright habit before gradually widening with age, reaching an average height of 1.4 to 1.5m (5ft) and a spread of 1.6 to 1.8m (5 to 6ft) after 10 years of cultivation in the ground. The bright green deciduous foliage consists of lanceolate leaves that are elongated and pointed at the end. It forms a beautiful backdrop for the abundant flowering that blooms from late May to mid-June. It develops large clusters of 8 to 11 flowers, each with a diameter of 5 to 6cm (2in). The trumpet-shaped corollas are formed by pointed petals, creating large star-shaped flowers in a lovely light pink colour. The upper petal is adorned with two orange-yellow veins that give relief to the corolla. The tightly packed flowers form extremely decorative spheres that few other flowering shrubs can rival.

Deciduous Chinese azaleas have less requirements than evergreen Japanese azaleas. They are very hardy and tolerate sunny exposures better. Nevertheless, they give their best in cool climates with marked winters, planted in humus-bearing and fertile soil without limestone. The ideal soil should be slightly acidic and should not dry out, as this bush appreciates soil moisture and even humidity. Its running and shallow root system does not like drought at all. In hot climates, it is wise to plant it in partial shade and water it regularly. It is very hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) without flinching.

Rhododendron 'Soir de Paris' will be the centre of attention in spring with its dazzling flowering. Plant it in a border with other ericaceous plants, choosing blooms spread throughout the different seasons. In winter, witch hazels will offer you their filamentous and unique flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, or purple, depending on the variety. You can plant them in the background to create a screen of vegetation, whose autumnal colours will burst into a horticultural fireworks display. A star magnolia will enchant the beginning of spring with its irresistible pure white stars. Add in Hydrangea macrophylla 'Blaumeise', whose blueish flat heads will bloom from July to September. Finally, an autumn camellia will provide flowers as the season draws to a close.