Monrovia : Learn

Large, single, intense rose-pink blooms cover the plant in spring. Produces a compact, branched mound for a tidy landscape shrub. Well sized for most residential applications. An exceptional foundation plant and seasonal color for Japanese garden. Mid to late season. Prefers acidic soil. Semi-evergreen shrub. Full to partial sun. Moderate growth 2 to 4 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide.

Performance and Requirements

Light needs: Partial sun

Watering Needs: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.

Pruning Time: Spring after flowering

Growth Rate: Slow Growing

Growth Habit: Round

Design Information

Companion Plants

NORMANDY RHODODENDRON
Rhododendron x 'Normandy' (H-1)

SEIRYU JAPANESE MAPLE
Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

ORANGE FLAME OREGON GRAPE HOLLY
Mahonia aquifolium 'Orange Flame' P.P.# 2544

MAKINOI'S HOLLY FERN
Polystichum makinoi

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Companion Plants (Description): Group this vivid azalea with other acid loving plants such as Normandy Rhododendron, (Rhododendron x 'Normandy'), Seiryu Japanese Maple, (Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'), Orangee Flame Oregon Grape Holly, (Mahonia aquifolium 'Orangee Flame') and Makinoi's Holly Fern, (Polystichum makinoi).

Design Styles: Exceptional early spring color for beds, borders and foundation planting. Add to perimeter plantings for bright spots. A natural beneath large tree groves and the verges of wildlands or naturalistic landscapes. A traditional choice for Asian inspired gardens. Bold color for reflecting pools and water gardens.

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.

Background Information

History: Rhododendron kaempferi is the parent species to this hybrid. It is native to Japan where it is known as the torch azalea due to the intense color. Plants can be found on all Japanese islands at elevations below 4000 feet. It was not introduced to the west until C. S. Sergeant imported seeds to the Arnold Arboretum in 1892. Hybridization began in the Netherlands in 1892 yielding a wide range of European hybrids.

Lore: Though they are known as azaleas, all azalea hybrids are technically members of the genus Rhododendron. Azaleas and cherry blossoms are the two plants that symbolize spring in the Japanese tea garden.

Botanical Pronunciation: a-ZAE-lee-a

Catalog Description: Large, single, intense rose-pink blooms cover the plant in spring. Produces a compact, branched mound for a tidy landscape shrub. Well sized for most residential applications. An exceptional foundation plant and seasonal color for Japanese garden. Mid to late season. Prefers acidic soil. Semi-evergreen shrub. Full to partial sun. Moderate growth 2 to 4 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide.