Japanese azalea Rêve de Lilas

The evocatively named Japanese Azalea 'Rêve de Lilas' is truly captivating with its superb spring flowering of a light lilac pink, which contrasts beautifully against the dark green evergreen foliage. This slow-growing bush develops both in width and height while remaining sufficiently compact to find a place even in the smallest gardens. Not tolerating lime, it thrives in acidic, humus-bearing soils that remain moist in summer yet are well-drained in winter. It also does not like harsh sunlight, so it needs a partially shaded position. If you cannot provide these conditions in your garden, you can still enjoy its magnificent flowers by growing it in a container with a suitable substrate.

Azaleas all actually belong to the Rhododendron genus, itself a member of the Ericaceae family. This family includes many ornamental plants, such as Kalmias or heathers, and also some small-fruited plants, like the Strawberry Tree and the Bilberry. The Rhododendron genus is extremely rich in species from temperate and cold climates, and there are even Tropical Rhododendrons! With over a thousand wild species, Rhododendron is subject to a complex botanical classification, hence the attempt at simplification (and historical habit) by growers who distinguish Azaleas in a separate group, themselves divided into deciduous and evergreen.
Japanese Azalea is thus a term that can encompass different species or hybrids, often derived from Rhododendron obtusum, itself of a poorly defined origin, as it is only known in cultivation. It might even be a cross-breeding between two or three botanical species of Rhododendron. It was in 1844 that Europe became acquainted with the Japanese Azalea, and the enthusiasm for this plant with its brilliant flowering has continued ever since. While the genealogy of 'Rêve de Lilas' is obscure, its beauty is truly luminous. The bush grows slowly, forming a clump roughly as wide as it is tall, reaching 80 cm in all directions after 10 years of cultivation. At maturity, it may exceed 1 m, typically tending to widen more than it rises, and always remaining within limited proportions compatible with container planting when the nature of the soil does not allow for its cultivation.
The plant is clothed in small elliptical leaves, rarely measuring more than 3 cm by 1.5 cm. This small leaf size allows it to be shaped quite easily into bonsai. From April onwards, the flowers appear and open to form a corolla 5 to 6 cm in diameter. This consists of five rounded petals, the two lower ones a fairly pale pink, the three upper ones a more pronounced lilac pink. The top petal is dotted with small spots of a purplish pink, which adds even more charm to the flower. The pistil and stamens that spring from the heart curve upwards at their tips, giving volume to the corolla. Gathered in clusters at the ends of the shoots, the flowers eventually almost completely cover the vegetation, thus creating an extremely attractive scene in the garden. Few plants can rival an Azalea in full bloom, and this flowering continues until May.

Hardy but demanding, Japanese Azalea 'Rêve de Lilas' needs fairly specific soil, moisture, and shading conditions to thrive. But the result is well worth the effort, as the spectacle is magical in spring. To extend the flowering season of your border, plant it alongside plants with staggered flowering times. Sasanqua Camellias will flower during the autumn and winter periods, depending on the variety. Early spring can be dedicated to Star Magnolias, whose large white or pink flowers make a great impact from March onwards. Large Rhododendrons will form a perfect backdrop with their large inflorescences in a rich palette of colours. And for summer flowers, choose from the range of Hydrangeas...