Azalea Kilian

The 'Kilian' Chinese Azalea has bright pink double flowers in rounded flowerheads in May-June. The deciduous foliage turns a burgundy red colour in autumn.

The 'Kilian' Azalea has an upright habit and reaches a height of 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) with a spread of 1 m (39.37 in) at maturity. Its flexible, oval, deciduous leaves are a pretty fresh green, slightly tinged with burgundy, emeerging from young purple shoots. In autumn, the foliage turns burgundy red before falling for the winter. It flowers abundantly in terminal clusters in May and June. The double flowers have a wide-open trumpet shape, with each flower 4.5 to 5 cm (1.8 to 2 in) in diameter. They are bright pink slightly tinged with lilac and exude a subtle fragrance.

Hardy down to -18°C (-0.4°F) and very vigorous, the 'Kilian' Chinese Azalea thrives in a semi-shaded position. This ericaceous shrub likes moist, humus-rich and well-drained, acid soil. To enjoy its fragrance and bright flowering, plant the 'Kilian' Azalea in ericaceous borders, on a slope, in a rockery or at the edge of a border, combined wqith Pieris, Heathers, Kalmias, Pieris, and Japanese Maples.

Divided into two horticultural groups, the Rhododendron genus includes on one hand the Azaleas, Chinese and Japanese, with small evergreen or deciduous leaves and 5 stamens per flower, and on the other hand the Rhododendrons, with large, evergreen, glossy foliage and more than 10 stamens per flower. Although highly debatable from a botanical standpoint, this classification is still widely used by horticulture professionals.