Azalea japonica ENCORE Lily Roblex

The Encore Hybrid Azalea 'Lily' is one of the most vigorous varieties in the Encore series. Its pure white flowers are noticeably larger than those of its sister 'Ivory'. These hybrid Japanese Azaleas, with their successive and spectacular flowerings, are poised to make a remarkable entry into our gardens and terraces. They are evergreen bushes that bloom two to three times a year depending on the climate, from late winter to autumn, in successive waves. Thriving in the sun or partial shade and relatively hardy, the Encore hybrid Azaleas are very versatile and come in a variety of styles, with single or double flowers, more or less compact and in a range of colours including white, red, various shades of pink, salmon, and orange vermillion. Mix them together to create either rustic flower beds or more sophisticated displays. Like all Azaleas, 'Lily' prefers non-calcareous soils, moist but well-draining, and fertile enough to sustain its multiple flowerings.

From a botanical point of view, Azaleas are actually Rhododendrons, plants from the large Ericaceae family. The hybrids from the Encore series, distributed by Globe Planter, were created thanks to Buddy Lee, a talented American nurseryman specializing in these plants. These quite fantastic Azaleas are the result of a long process of hybridisation and selection, with the aim of obtaining varieties capable of flowering several times a year, as well as withstanding the sun.

'Lily' is a good-sized variety, with a nicely rounded bushy habit. The shrub reaches about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in height and spread, growing rather slowly, though a little faster than the classic Japanese Azaleas. Its particularly abundant first flowering, begins in March-April, taking the form of very pure white simple flowers, without a trace of any other colour. They measure about 7-8 cm (2.8-3.1 in) in diameter, are funnel-shaped and are gathered in small terminal clusters. A second wave of flowers begins in late May, when new shoots appear, already bearing new flower buds to open in summer. A final flowering occurs in early autumn, usually in October. The foliage of the Japanese Azalea, more or less evergreen depending on the severity of the winter, consists of small, simple, glossy, elliptical leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. They are rather light green in spring, darkening in summer. This variety is hardy down to -12/-15°C (10.4 - 5 °F). 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, acid soil, such as ericaceous soil. In these conditions, they are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for flowerbeds or pots, attractive all year round. They pair well with Pieris, Japanese maples, or Kalmias. Also, combine them with flowering cherry trees, Japanese camellias, and their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowering cousins, the Camellia sasanqua hybrids. This 'Lily' variety will look wonderful in a large, cool, moist rockery or in a bed with Chinese Azaleas, shrubby heathers, or paniculate hydrangeas, in a small Japanese or romantic-style garden, but also on the terrace or balcony, in a large container, planted in suitable soil and watered with lime-free water.