Azalea japonica Luzi

The Japanese Azalea 'Luzi' (now classified as Rhododendron) is a charming little, compact shrub, forming an evergreen ball with small, dark green, pointed leaves. The blossom in spring is magical, completely covering the shrub in clusters of white flowers. This ericaceous plant does not tolerate alkaline soils or drought. It will do best in a mildly sunny or semi-shaded position, in acid soil that remains slightly moist. Very hardy, this small Rhododendron is an excellent choice for a small garden, which it brightens up with its luminous blooms.

Rhododendrons are members of the Ericaceae family, which includes many ornamental genera (Kalmia, Leucothoe, Erica, Calluna, Oxydendrum, Gaultheria, Pieris...) as well as a few small fruits (Vaccinium: blueberry, Arbutus: strawberry tree, Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi: bearberry). The Rhododendron genus has numerous species (about a thousand). It includes evergreen and deciduous varieties, from miniature bushes to 15m (49 ft 2 in) trees (in their natural habitat, or the magnificent specimens that can be admired in parks), with flowers covering almost the entire colour palette thanks to the many horticultural varieties available on the market.

The 'Luzi Rhododendron' is a hybrid commonly classified as Japanese Azalea (a purely horticultural name, as Azaleas are, botanically speaking, Rhododendrons). It was selected by the German breeder Gergard Mittendorf, a specialist in the Rhododendron genus, who introduced it to the market in 1975. This small shrub will reach a height of about 80 cm (31.5 in) and a spread of 90 cm (35.4 in) in 10 years, and will not grow much more than that. Its relatively dark green, evergreen leaves are quite small and pointed at the tip. They provide a dark background to highlight the immaculate white blooms, flowering from mid-May to mid-June, depending on the year. These bell-shaped flowers, measuring 5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.8 in) in diameter, are grouped in clusters, and their joyful profusion gives the shrub the look of a bridal bouquet! Very hardy, this variety can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4 °F).

The 'Luzi Rhododendron' is ideal for edging an ericaceous bed. You can combine it with many other flowering plants and by choosing staggered flowering periods, you can enjoy them all year round! Have fun mixing winter blooms, like those of the astonishing James Roof Garrya elliptica with its myriad of long, pendulos catkins that exude a romantic charm. Keeping with the poetic theme, the rare Lipstick Camellia, with its red anemone-shaped flowers from January to March, will be a perfect companion. The pale yellow flowers of the Corylopsis pauciflora, blooming on the still bare wood of the shrub in March-April or the surprising purple of the large cup-shaped flowers of the magnificent Magnolia Black Tulip will precede the flowering of our delightful little white Rhododendron.