Rhododendron macrosepalum Koromo- shikibu White

The Japanese Azalea 'Koromo-shikibu White' is a bush still rare despite its remarkable ornamental qualities. Its evergreen foliage of a beautiful dark green is pleasant in every season and, above all, it particularly highlights the immaculate white flowering in spring. A multitude of flowers with tapered petals then covers the vegetation, creating a very attractive scene in the garden. Thriving in acidic, cool, humus-bearing and well-drained soil, the bush flourishes in partial shade, forming a cushion 1 m in height. Slow-growing, it is possible to grow it in a container, which is also essential if the ground is chalky.

Azaleas, a purely horticultural name, are in fact, in the sense of botany, all Rhododendrons. These belong to the large Ericaceae family, within which they coexist with about a hundred genera, many of which have great ornamental value, such as Japanese Andromedas (Pieris), Kalmias (Mountain Laurels) and of course the various Heaths. Some produce edible fruits, the most famous being the Blueberry Bush, or further south, the Strawberry Tree. The Rhododendron genus is extremely diverse, with over 1000 wild species, distributed from temperate regions to the Tropics and including deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen plants. Their development ranges from simple shrubs to trees reaching 15 m in height, with even semi-epiphytic species (Tropical Vireya Rhododendrons) growing on other plants in the manner of tropical Orchids.
The Spider Azalea 'Koromo-shikibu White', as English gardeners call it, is a hybrid obtained by cross-breeding between Rhododendron macrosepalum and another unknown species. R. macrosepalum is a semi-evergreen species of small size (less than 90 cm tall), native to Japan (Shikoku island in the south, and the south of the main island). It is recognised by its villous young shoots and leaves, some of which take on rich red colours in autumn. The flowers which bloom in April-May are lilac pink, measure 5 cm in diameter and are fragrant. The name Koromo-shikibu White, a mix of Japanese and English, literally means "in white Shikibu robe". Murasaki Shibiku was the pen name of a 10th-century novelist in Japan. The slow-growing bush reaches about 60 cm in height by 80 cm in width after 10 years of planting, then at ripeness 1 m tall by 1.20 m and more in spread. Its irregular habit, with a very natural appearance, is overall quite spreading and different from other species. It is clothed in dark green, pilous, evergreen leaves, which become reddish in autumn. In March-April, clusters of pure white flowers form at the ends of the branches, made up of lanceolate, very elongated petals, which earn the plant its nickname of Spider Azalea. In full flowering, the bush seems invaded by a tide of white spiders, 5 cm in diameter, leaving little room for the leaves.

With correct hardiness (down to -12/-15°C), the Azalea 'Koromo-shikibu White' is a real gem for small gardens. Its unusual low silhouette and especially its very distinctive flowering make it a choice subject for bringing diversity to the garden. Plant it in a shaded heather soil bed, alongside other plants that are out of the ordinary. Japanese Maples with often sophisticated leaf shapes and sometimes extravagant colours will be good companions. The Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Baby' with its blue flower buds will fit into the originality of your bed, unless you prefer the surprising bicolour flowers of the Magnolia denudata 'Sunrise'.