Azalea japonica Star Style Violet

The Star Style Violet Japanese Azalea forms a small, beautifully rounded bush with very delicate leaves, covered with curious, large, mauve, star-shaped flowers in autumn and again in spring. It belongs to the new series of Star Style Azaleas, that are very different, revolutionising the image we have of the classic varieties. Relatively hardy, the compact hybrid Azaleas from the Star Style series flower abundantly, are ideal for growing in pots or in the ground and suitable for gardens of all sizes. Mix them together or with Coprosma in a contemporary, Japanese or classic-style decor. Like all Japanese Azaleas, 'Star Style Violet' thrives in relatively fertile, lime-free soils, as well as slightly humid environments.

Azaleas are actually Rhododendrons from a botanical point of view, they are plants from the large Ericaceae family. The quite fantastic hybrids from the Star Style series, are the result of a long selection process aimed at obtaining particularly compact varieties with unique flowers and fine foliage, capable of flowering twice a year. They are cold resistant to a minimum of -12/-15°C (10.4 / 5 °F).

'Star Style Violet' is a small variety, with a rounded and well-branched habit. This slow-growing shrub will reach about 50 x 50 cm (19.7 x 19.7 in). Its first flowering occurs in October, consisting of long, fine-petalled flowers about 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter, gathered in small terminal clusters. A second wave of flowers is produced in May. The foliage of this Japanese Azalea, more or less evergreen depending on the severity of the winter, is composed of small narrow, elliptical, glossy leaves arranged alternately on the branches. They are fairly light green when they bud, darkening in summer. 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.

Star Style Japanese Azaleas thrive in cool and humid climates, planted in humus-rich, ericaceous soil. They are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for flowerbeds 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. Combine them with quinces and Japanese camellias, as well as their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowering cousins, the Camellia sasanqua hybrids.  This 'Star Style Violet' variety will look wonderful in a bed with clean lines, with other shrubs pruned into balls, and a decorative mulch. It will also make a beautiful subject to adorn a terrace or balcony, planted in suitable soil and watered with alkaline-free water.