azalea

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Azalea
Rhododendron 'Hinodegiri'
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Ericaceae
Genus:	Rhododendron
Subgenus:	Pentanthera  and Tsutsuji

Azaleas are flowering shrubs making up part of the genus Rhododendron. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of plant, but now they are recognized as two of the eight subgenera of rhododendrons - Pentanthera (deciduous) and Tsutsuji (evergreen). Azaleas bloom in spring, their flowers dying only a few weeks later. They do not need as much sun as other plants; they live near trees and sometimes under them. Azalea is also the flower of the astrology symbol Sagittarius.^{[citation needed]}

Differences

A bush of azaleas.

One major difference between azaleas and the rest of the rhododendron genus is their size. Another is their flower growth; rhododendrons grow their flowers in stripers,^{[clarification needed]} while most azaleas have terminal blooms (one flower per flower stem). However, they have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid mass of colour. Azaleas are recognised by these flowers blooming all at once, in a showy display for a month or two in spring. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters.

An azalea flower close up

The Satsuki azalea group, derived from Rhododendron indicum and related species, are very popular.

A traditional alcoholic beverage made from azalea blossoms, called Tugyonju (literally "azalea grape wine"), is produced in Korea.^[1]

Azalea plants are very toxic to sheep and goats, but cause no problems in cats or dogs.

Cultivation

Pink azalea

Plant enthusiasts have created azaleas for hundreds of years. This human genetic modification has produced over 10,000 different cultivars which are propagated by cuttings. Azalea seeds can also be collected and germinated.

Azaleas grow best in well-drained soil or in plant pots in a cool, shady position. They are easily damaged by excessive soil moisture and grow best in acidic soil (4.5 - 6.0 pH).^[2] Fertilizer is optional, although some species do need regular pruning.

Several commercial nurseries in Semmes, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile, are major national suppliers of azaleas in the U.S.

Disease

Azalea leafy gall can be particularly destructive to azalea leaves during the early spring. Hand picking infected leaves is the recommended method of control. Information on azalea leaf gall can be found on Cornell University's Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic web site. Azalea Leaf Gall Fact Sheet

Cultural significance and symbolism

In Chinese culture, the azalea is known as "thinking of home bush" (xiangsi shu) and is immortalized in the poetry of Tu Fu and is used to rich effect in contemporary stories such as "A Sea of Blood-red Azaleas," in the collection Taipei People by the Taiwanese author Bai Xianyong.

The azalea is also one of the symbols of the city of São Paulo, in Brazil.^[3]

Azalea festivals

Fifty year old Azalea

A close up of a red azalea flower

United States

Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including Wilmington, North Carolina (North Carolina Azalea Festival);^[4] Norfolk, Virginia;^[5] Valdosta, Georgia;^[6] Palatka, Florida;^[7] Charleston, Missouri also features an annual festival which incorporates both azaleas and [dogwood] trees. The small town recently celebrated its 40th festival.^[8] Pickens, South Carolina;^[9] Muskogee, Oklahoma;^[10] South Gate, California;^[11] Mobile, Alabama; and Dothan, Alabama.^[12] Tyler, Texas features an eight mile azalea trail in the spring that has been featured in several magazines.^[13] The United States also has an Azalea society called Azalea Society of America.

Japan

Motoyama, Kochi also has a flower festival in which the blooming of Tsutsuji is celebrated and Tatebayashi, Gunma is famous for its Azalea Hill Park, Tsutsuji-ga-oka.

See also

• Rhododendron
• List of azalea diseases
• List of plants poisonous to equines

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Azalea

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Azalea.

• Azalea Society of America
• Azalea Collection of the U.S. National Arboretum
• American Rhododendron Society
• Rhododendron Society of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Rhododendron Society of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
• Rhododendron Society of Niagara, Ontario, Canada
• America in Bloom
• Canadian Communities in Bloom
• Azaleas and Rhododendrons in Missouri