Azalea japonica GILBERT MULLIE

The Japanese Azalea Gilbert Mullie was selected for the abundance of its beautiful, fresh pink flowers, which are larger than usual for a Japanese Azalea. They bloom prolifically in spring, on a plant that is slightly wider than tall, adorned with small dark green leaves that remain decorative in winter. With a rather compact habit, it is a variety that is well-suited to small spaces and container gardening. It is a highly ornamental ericaceous shrub that will bring a unique touch to shaded rockeries or the gap left under large rhododendrons.

The Azalea japonica Gilbert Mullie, resulting from a cross between the 'Kirin' and 'Mother's Day' Azaleas, was developed by the Genetics & Hybridisation Department in Melle, Belgium, in 1985.

It is a modest-sized variety with a dense habit, initially rounded and spreading somewhat with age, forming a parasol shape. It is slow-growing and reaches about 80-90 cm (31.5-35.4 in) in height and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in spread by the age of 10-12. Its particularly abundant flowers bloom in May, or even sometimes as early as April, depending on the climate. The 4 cm (1.6 in) diameter flowers are funnel-shape and grouped in terminal clusters of 4 to 5, almost hiding the foliage, which is often evergreen in winter and consists of small, shiny, elliptical leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. They are dark green with bronze highlights. This variety is hardy down to -15°C (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, 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 flowering cherry trees, Japanese camellias, and their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowering cousins, the Camellia sasanqua hybrids. This modest-sized Gilbert Mullie variety can be used to play with levels and fill the gaps below large ericaceous shrubs. It will be magnificent in a large, cool, shaded rockery or at the front of a border in a small Japanese or romantic-style garden, as well as on a terrace or balcony in a large, carefully chosen pot with suitable compost and lime-free water for watering.