Rhododendron Pink Spider - Japanese Azalea

Rhododendron Pink Spider is a hybrid Azalea which renews the genre with its original flowering, very different from the usual varieties. Not only are the flowers bicolour, pink in the centre and edged with white, but their shape is truly unprecedented. They resemble big spiders covering the dark foliage, as the elongated petals are like narrow legs. This variety stays compact, perfect in a border or planted in a container to enhance a terrace or balcony. It appreciates partial shade, grows in acidic, moist, humus-bearing soil and shows good hardiness.

Azaleas are in fact Rhododendrons from a botanical point of view, they are plants from the large family of ericaceae, rich in about a hundred genera. The Rhodos, as they are affectionately called by nurserymen and horticulturists, constitute an important group, which they have therefore classified into different categories, including the Japanese Azaleas to which Pink Spider belongs. This horticultural variety, probably of Dutch origin, appeared on the market in the early 2000s.
Even today, it surprises with its decidedly atypical and particularly decorative flowering. Grouped in cymes at the end of the branches, the flowers appear around mid-May and bloom for about 3 weeks. They are semi-double and produce narrow and elongated petals, well spread out on the periphery and sometimes taking on a slightly crumpled appearance in the centre. They have a deep pink centre, edged with white on their periphery, which visually refines them even more. This "spider legs" morphology must have inspired the hybridizer to name the variety Pink Spider. The abundant, eye-catching flowering covers a good part of the foliage with rather large (8 to 10 cm in diameter) blooms.
The oblong to lanceolate, dark green leaves, measure about 5-6 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are evergreen so ornamental all year round with their glossy texture. Their dark colour is a true setting for the bright flowers in late spring.
This hybrid Rhododendron shows moderate growth, reaching a height of approximately 70 cm and a slightly larger spread after 10 years. These dimensions make it easy to cultivate in a decorative container to enhance a balcony or terrace. Azaleas and rhododendrons develop a shallow root system, to which moisture should always be available. However, these roots don't like stagnant moisture that suffocates them. In the ground, choose a moist and slightly shaded location without excess water in winter. An acidic (pH 4.5 to 6) and humus-bearing soil is perfect. Quite hardy, down to -15°C, or even -18°C, this Azalea hates atmospheric and soil dryness and will therefore grow better in an oceanic climate than a Mediterranean one.

The Pink Spider Japanese Azalea will delight enthusiasts of original blooms. Perfect in a semi-shaded border, you can plant the whole range of acid soil plants alongside it. To create vegetation layers and thus create a stylish scene, plant Andromeda polifolia Blue Ice at its feet, a dwarf bush with foliage as fine as rosemary, but with a silvery-blue hue, and delicate pink flowers throughout spring. Just behind the Azalea, a Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) will support it with its curious pale pink flowering. The astonishing flowers with fused petals open in a cup shape and are grouped in large and very decorative clusters. In the background, a beautiful Magnolia such as Manchu Fan with its abundant white flowering will complete this spring scene beautifully.