Japanese Azalea Purple Splendor

The 'Purple Splendor' Japanese Azalea, not to be confused with 'Purple Splendour', is part of a series of hybrid rhododendrons selected in the United States for their resistance to cold. Forming a beautiful dome covered with mostly evergreen foliage, this shrub almost disappears in May under an abundance of small bright violet-pink funnel-shaped flowers, that almost look double. Plant it in the garden or in a large pot on the terrace, in semi-shade, in moist, chalk-free soil.

The Purple Splendor Japanese Azalea is a bush from the Ericaceae or heather family. It was developed several years ago by Joseph Gable in Pennsylvania (USA). Gable's hybrids, derived among others from Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense and R . Kaempferi, tolerate heat better than others and, to a certain extent, even  drought. They also have a relatively long flowering period and evergreen leaves.

'Purple Splendor' is a medium-sized cultivar, with a spreading bushy habit and relatively fast growth for an azalea. It reaches about 1 m (3.28 ft) in height and 1.30 m (4.26 ft) in width at maturity. Its long, abundant flowering period usually takes place in May. The small flowers are funnel-shaped and gathered in terminal clusters. Each, 5 cm (2 in) wide, consists of a corolla of frilly petals surrounded by a calyx of the same bright pink-violet with mauve highlights. The flower's centre is a deeper magenta pink, with long stamens of the same pink. When exposed to the sun, the flowers fade to white. The foliage, usually evergreen, consists of small, simple, oval - rounded leaves with smooth edges, arranged alternately on the branches. They are fairly dark green, with a shiny finish, taking on beautiful bronze to claret colours in cold weather. In particularly harsh winters, the foliage may be partially deciduous.

Japanese azaleas thrive in cool climates with distinct winters, planted in humus-rich, acidic soil, such as ericaceous soil. They are beautiful evergreen shrubs for borders or containers, attractive all year round. They are a perfect accompaniment to heathers, Japanese maples, or their relatives the Chinese Azaleas, which change their appearance throughout the seasons. They can also be combined with Japanese camellias and their graceful, often fragrant, autumn-flowered cousins, Camelia sasanqua hybrids. This Purple Splendor variety looks wonderful on the terrace or balcony, in a large, carefully chosen pot, with suitable soil, and watered with non-alkaline water.