Chinese azaleas: best varieties

Chinese azalea 'Homebush'

Chinese Azalea ‘Homebush’ stands out for its magnificent flowering from April to May with its semi-double magenta-pink flowers, forming an almost perfect globe. This deciduous bush is ideal as a specimen or in a shrub border. With its upright habit, at ripeness it reaches 1.5 m in height with 1 m spread. Its light green foliage contrasts with its brown stems and provides a striking architectural aspect. Hardy down to -20°C and vigorous, Chinese Azalea ‘Homebush’ prefers sun or partial shade.

Surprising flowering in shape of a magenta-pink globe

Chinese azalea 'Persil'

Chinese azalea ‘Persil’ is prized for its large scented white flowers highlighted by a beautiful golden-yellow to orange maculate marking. Flowers appear abundantly from mid-April to mid-May depending on climate. Leaves are dark green, turning bronze then brown in autumn. This old variety will reach 1.25 m in height with 1 m spread at ripeness. It is a reliable, award-winning variety in England that will thrive in sun or partial shade and tolerate down to -15°C.

Large delicate white flowers with a gold-coloured maculate marking

Chinese azalea Delicatissima

‘Delicatissima’ is a Chinese azalea remarkable for its clusters of pale pink flowers maculate with a yellow-orange spot and brown marbling. It is highly valued for its fragrance, which is reminiscent of honeysuckle. The flowers have an undulating edge and are gathered in clusters. They appear from mid-May to mid-June depending on climate. This azalea has a spreading, rounded habit. Its leaves are bright green and will become striking in autumn. At ripeness it will reach 1.20 m in height for 1 m spread and will withstand cold down to -12/-15°C.

Beautiful pink flowers maculate with gold-coloured markings, plus a delightful honeysuckle fragrance

Chinese azalea 'Wallowa Red'

Chinese azalea ‘Wallowa Red’ is covered, from April to May, with large flamboyant red flowers in compact clusters. They give off a light fragrance. Leaves first appear in coppery tones before turning pale green. Deciduous foliage will eventually turn golden in autumn. Ramified and compact in form, this azalea will, at ripeness, reach 1.20 m in height with a 1 m spread. Very hardy, this azalea thrives in partial shade and withstands down to -20°C .

Flamboyant red flowers of Chinese azalea ‘Wallowa Red’

Chinese azalea 'Fragrant Star'

The Chinese azalea ‘Fragrant Star’ is one of the most fragrant varieties, capable of perfuming an entire corner of the garden. White flower buds are crowned with a pretty beige-pink, then turn white as they open. Its flowering is delicate, with a honeysuckle scent. Deciduous foliage is blue-green. Very hardy, it will withstand frosts down to -26°C and tolerates sun well. However, it prefers a partly shaded position. This azalea will reach, at ripeness, a height of 1.20 m with a 1 m spread. Its habit is fairly compact and rounded.

With its light flowering, the ‘Fragrant Star’ variety is one of the most fragrant

Chinese azalea 'Lingot d'Or'

Chinese azalea ‘Lingot d’Or’ is prized for its large fragrant golden-yellow flowers which appear from April to May. Flower edges are undulate. They form rounded fragrant clusters. Its deciduous foliage is a bright green that will turn a lovely purple colour in autumn. Its habit is upright, forming a rounded clump. This azalea will reach, at ripeness, a height of 1.5 m with a 1 m spread.

Pretty clusters of fragrant golden flowers

Azalea Glowing Embers

Variety ‘Glowing Embers’ is a superb azalea, which offers, from late May to June, a lovely flowering with a refined fragrance. The large orange and red flowers bring flamboyant tones to the garden. They have an undulate edge and gather in clusters. Its deciduous green foliage will also turn coppery in autumn. This azalea variety is old and robust. It will reach, at ripeness, 1.50 m in height with 1.30 m spread. Its habit is erect, both slender and bushy. Hardy, it will tolerate frosts below -15°C.

Beautiful flamboyant orange and red flowers

Chinese Azalea 'Cannon's Double'

Chinese azalea ‘Cannon’s Double’ stands out with semi-double flowers that are pinkish-white with a yellow centre. Depending on climate, flowering occurs from May to June and flowers are borne in clusters. Foliage is deciduous and light green. Hardy to -15 °C, this azalea thrives in partial shade. At maturity, this bush will reach 1.20 m in height with a spread of just under 1 m.

Semi-double flowers make this azalea distinctive

To find out more:

• Find our full range of Chinese azaleas
• our advice sheet on azaleas: planting, cultivation, pruning and care
• our guide to choosing an azalea
• Our video on Rhododendron luteum or Chinese azalea