Rhododendron molle subsp. japonicum ‘Minsam9’ Flash Dance® Pink belongs to the Ericaceae family. This cultivar was obtained by the breeder Hortival Diffusion (France). It originates from the Flash Dance® series, introduced in 2017/2018. The azaleas of this series are characterised by particularly abundant flowering and a well-branched, rounded habit.
Flash Dance® Pink was noted at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 for its ornamental qualities. It is an evergreen shrub that reaches about 1 metre in all directions at the age of ten years, with rather slow but steady growth. The foliage consists of leathery, ovate to elliptical, 4-5 cm long, deep green leaves. Flowering, which occurs in April-May, is spectacular: the plant is covered with clusters of semi-double or double flowers of an intense, saturated pink, with shades of fuchsia pink to magenta pink depending on the light. Some petals show a slight gradient towards a lighter or slightly silvery centre, which gives depth and texture to the inflorescences. This variety is hardy to -15°C.
Japanese azaleas like Flash Dance® Pink enjoy a cool and humid climate in humus-rich, acidic soil. In these conditions, they are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for borders or flowering pots, attractive all year round. They happily accompany evergreen ferns, small rhododendrons or camellias, which have the same growing requirements. These plants create refined, Japanese-style or naturalistic scenes. As a specimen plant, in a low hedge or in light woodland, this variety, with its intense pink, attracts attention. It will also do wonderfully on the terrace or balcony, in a large, carefully chosen pot, in a suitable substrate, watered with lime-free water.
