Because I'm not really an azalea fan, I've only planted the one. Sold to me as a "Korean azalea," which I see is really Rhododendren yedoense, it blooms on mostly bare wood, very gracefully, without looking like the hacked-plastic bushes that most azaleas seem to turn into around here. I'm not sure if it's genetic with the plants, or more of a pruning problem . . . .
Anyway, isn't the Korean azalea looking lovely this year?
I am not an azalea fan either - nor the rhodedendrons that are so popular here in teh NW. Never identified the 'plastic-y' look - that IS the reason I dont like them!
ReplyDeleteYes - that azalea is beautiful - kind of lily-ish with the purple speckles and pointed petals... beautiful!
What a beautiful color ...
ReplyDeleteVery pretty
ReplyDeleteIt is GORGEOUS! I've got a pink riot in my front yard right now.
ReplyDeleteI diagnose it as a pruning problem. My father lives in a house in Charleston SC with hundreds of azaleas (and camellias...and wisteria...) which my great-grandmother planted many years ago, and from the time I could toddle I was taught how to prune them. Many people don't prune correctly. It's not something that can be done quickly or in any utilitarian way. It's art. There's a lot of clip, step away, assess, discuss with your pruning-partner, dive back in.....and technique.
I also can't stand to see forsythia all trimmed and shaped. It's just wrong!
Yours is lovely! It's definitely a pruning issue. We have a few in our woodland garden under our birch trees. We let them grow naturally... they've remained a good size and shape and bloom in a completely organic way that's appealing. My mom has a riotous flame orange one that makes me a little crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't care for azaleas either. But the color on this one is amazing.
ReplyDeleteyou should try native azaleas -- the imported evergreen ones don't measure up.... and the native azalea have a HEAVENLY scent, need very little (or no) pruning, and are the prettiest too IMO
ReplyDeleteThat's a delicate and sweet pink azalea - so pretty! I like the soft yellow one's too - have you seen any of those? I agree, the purples and hot pinks are too fake flower looking...I haven't planted any myself because everyone else around here has!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful color!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Polly. We bought a very neglected home in N. Carolina that had a riot of unpruned azaleas and rhododendrons. They were so much prettier than their shaved neighbors.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, delicate colour! This is truly the one time of year that I really miss my more southern birthplace--we're still digging out of snow piles--although, I wouldn't miss this time of year in my "adopted" home, either!
ReplyDeleteIt's a pruning problem. Most people, even pros, don't know how to prune. If shrubs are planted in the correct place, then they should need very little, if any, pruning. I hate the "Dr. Seuss" look of so many shrubs.
ReplyDeleteThe builder of our home put in about six azalea plants. I dug them all up carefully and clustered them together to make a bush. I really like it as a bush more. Though the thing I dislike about azaleas is once the bloom is done they are not very pretty. So you get a couple of months of pretty and then drab. :)
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