Azalea japonica Adonis

The Japanese Azalea Adonis is a small evergreen ericaceous shrub descended from Rhododendron obtusum, belonging to the large Rhododendron family. With its naturally rounded, compact habit and abundant spring flowers, it is as ornamental in the garden as it is in a pretty pot on the terrace. Forming a perfect cushion of white flowers from April onwards, 'Adonis' is an excellent early-flowering white cultivar, both floriferous and resistant to cold. Give this Azalea the conditions it loves: a semi-shaded position and well-drained, lime-free soil that stays moist all year round. A must in any small Japanese garden!

The Rhododendron obtusum is now considered a hybrid of Rhododendron sataense, R. kiusinum and R. kaempferi. It is a mostly evergreen shrub of the heath or Ericaceae family. All these hardy plants, are native to Japan, China and Korea. They are characterised by early, dazzling spring flowers and foliage that is not entirely evergreen. There are 2 types of foliage on these azaleas, the spring foliage, which is fine and relatively wide, and the foliage that forms at the end of summer, which is tougher and smaller. The spring leaves fall off in autumn, while the majority of the leaves produced in late summer will last throughout the winter

'Adonis' is a small, naturally compact cultivar with a spreading, rounded habit, reaching about 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and 70-80 cm (27.6-31.5 in) in spread. Its blooms last for about 3 weeks, usually in April, depending on the climate. The large pure-white, trumpet-shaped flowers are gathered in generous terminal clusters that almost completely hide the foliage which consists of single, oval-lanceolate leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. They vary from 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 inches) in length, and they are fairly light green, with a satiny finish. 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.

Japanese Azaleas thrive in cool climates with distinct winters, planted in humus-rich, ericaceous soil. They are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for borders or containers, attractive all year round. They are a perfect accompaniment to heathers, Japanese maples, or their relatives, Chinese Azaleas, which change colour with the seasons. They can also be combined with Japanese camellias, and their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowering cousins, the Camellia sasanqua hybrids. This Adonis variety will look wonderful on a terrace or balcony, in a large, carefully chosen pot with suitable compost and lime-free water for watering.