Azalea nakaharae Pink Cascade

Azalea nakaharae Pink Cascade is a variety that is distinct because of its low, covering, prostrate habit, and for its vivacious flowers in early summer. Its pretty dark green, evergreen foliage is covered with numerous small, intensely pink flowers, sometimes with a hint of orange. In time, this variety will become a very attractive ground cover, which will add a unique touch to shady rock gardens, terraces or even the gaps under large Rhododendrons. 

The Pink Cascade Rhododendron is the result of a cross with the Nakaharae Azalea, a plant native to Taiwan that is currently considered a species. This creeping Azalea has been successfully used as a parent for several ground-cover hybrids. The Pink Cascade variety is said to withstand temperatures as low as -10 to -12°C (14°F - 10.4°F).

Pink Cascade' is a particularly low, well-branched variety with a very spreading habit. It forms a ground cover of around 40 cm (15.7 in) in height and will cover 1 m² (10.7 ft²)  in 5 to 7 years. It flowers abundantly in June and July, depending on the climate. The flowers are a superb deep pink with orange highlights. They are funnel-shaped and grouped in terminal clusters of 4 to 5. The foliage, lasting through the winter if it is not too harsh, consists of small, simple, elliptical leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. They are dark green with a glossy finish and have a lifespan of 3 years. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system that always needs to be kept moist, but they also dislike waterlogged soil which would suffocate the roots.

Ground-cover Azaleas thrive in mild and humid climates, planted in humus-rich, ericaceous soil. They provide magnificent, attractive, evergreen ground covers all year round. They are a perfect accompaniment to heathers, Japanese maples or their relatives, bushy Japanese Azaleas, as well as Japanese camellias and their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowering cousins, C.sasanqua hybrids. This Pink Cascade variety can be used for creating different levels and filling gaps left under large ericaceous shrubs. The plant will look wonderful in a large, cool, moist, shady rockery or at the front of borders, but also on the terrace or balcony, in a large, carefully chosen pot.