Azalea japonica Kirin

The Kirin Japanese Azalea is a small evergreen shrub that belongs to the Rhododendron family. It is distinguished by its early, abundant, fresh, bright pink flowers which almost cover its foliage from March onwards. Its bell-shaped flowers are not large, but they are produced in profusion on a very neat, round shrub that will look wonderful in a window box on the terrace or as a border plant. Japanese azaleas merit the few changes needed to recreate the conditions they love: they thrive in partial shade, in consistently moist, lime-free soil. This very healthy variety is suitable for forcing and indoor cultivation.

The Hybrid Rhododendron Kirin is an old English variety bred by Ernest Wilson, back in 1922. It is part of a series of evergreen hybrids developed from the Rhododendron Kurume. This group of Azaleas, the result of 300 years of selection in Japan, takes its name from the Japanese town of Kirin. These small, leathery-leaved plants are renowned for their hardiness, adaptability, profusion of flowers and bright colours. Their complex genealogy probably includes the Asian species Rhododendron kaempferi , R . kiusianum , as well as various other species and ancient Japanese hybrids. They are best sheltered from extreme cold.

'Kirin' (also known as Daybreak) is a small, stocky variety with a very rounded habit. The plant will reach about 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in height and spread by the age of 10. Slow-growing, it will not exceed the size of 1.3 x 1.3m (4 ft 4 in x 4 ft 4 in) after many years. It sometimes flowers as early as February, but most often in March, or even at the beginning of April in colder regions. There are countless, small, bell-shaped flowers that look double, made up of a corolla of satiny pink petals, finely veined with deep pink and surrounded by a calyx of the same light, fresh pink. The centre of the flower is a deeper pink, with long stamens of the same colour. The flowers are gathered in terminal clusters of 3 to 5. The deep, vibrant, glossy green evergreen foliage consists of small, simple, oval leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. Azleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system, which should always be kept moist, but they dislike waterlogged soil which can suffocate the roots

Japanese azaleas thrive in a humid and cool climate, with distinct winters, planted in humus-rich, acid soil, such as ericaceous soil. They are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for borders or pots, attractive all year round. They harmonise beautifully with heathers, Japanese maples, or their relatives, Chinese Azaleas, which change colour with the seasons, as well as Japanese camellias and their graceful, often fragrant autumn-flowering cousins, Camellia sasanqua hybrids. This Kirin variety, forming a true ball of flowers early in the season, will look wonderful on the terrace or balcony, in a large, carefully chosen pot, with a suitable soil and watered with lime-free water. It will also delight bonsai enthusiasts!