{"product_id":"satsuki-azalea-rhododendron","title":"Summer Azalea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eRhododendron pulchrum\u003c\/em\u003e Sweet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSynonyms:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple Azalea, Belgian Azalea (often refers to hybrids), Azalea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ericaceae, Rhododendron · Evergreen Shrub \/ Flowering Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1. Variety Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Morphology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub with dense branching. Young branches are green and densely covered with brown fine hairs. Leaves are alternate, elliptic-obovate, thick leathery, dark green on the surface, and sparsely covered with strigose hairs. \u003cstrong\u003eThe crown of Summer Azalea is low and flat, and it is highly tolerant of pruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Performance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corolla is broadly funnel-shaped, with 5 lobes, and comes in rich colors (purple-red, red, pink-white, etc.) with dark spots. \u003cstrong\u003eFlowering period is May–June\u003c\/strong\u003e (about one month later than Spring Azalea, hence the name Summer Azalea).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety Differences:\u003c\/strong\u003e Summer Azalea leaves are usually smaller and thicker than those of Spring Azalea. The branches are finer and denser, and it grows more slowly, making it suitable for spherical shapes or groundcover color blocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2. Ecological Habits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers semi-shaded environments (avoid direct scorching sun, especially western sun in summer). Excessive light can cause leaf scorch or weak growth; grows best under dappled shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStrictly prefers acidic soil\u003c\/strong\u003e (pH 4.5–6.0). Requires loose, fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained leaf mold or sandy loam. Avoid alkaline soil and waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers cool and humid climates. Not resistant to severe cold (mostly potted in the north; can overwinter in the open ground in the Yangtze River basin). Tolerant of pruning and shapes quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3. Landscape Application Scenarios\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover Color Blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e The most commonly used evergreen flowering color block in gardens. Used as the lower layer of hedges, the front edge of flower borders, or coverage for gentle slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpherical Accents:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pruned into a spherical shape and planted at road intersections, beside steps, or scattered across lawns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBonsai\/Flower Pots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact plant with bright flowers, often used for entrance flower pot decoration or indoor potted display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e4. Seedling Quality Indicators (Example — Landscape Groundcover\/Spherical Seedlings)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"hyc-common-markdown__table-wrapper isDark\" data-has-scroll=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem Name\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight (H)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003e25–35 cm (Color Block) \/ 40–60 cm (Spherical)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrown Width (P)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003e20–30 cm (Color Block) \/ 40–60 cm (Spherical)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eBranching\/Fullness\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eColor block seedlings require uniform branching and closed crown; spherical seedlings require roundness without exposing stems\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eContainer Requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eLandscape seedlings are mostly in nutrient pots (diameter 12–16 cm), with roots tightly bound to the substrate\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eQuality Requirements\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo yellowing (iron deficiency), no leaf spot disease, no scale insects, clear variety color series\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5. Planting and Maintenance Points\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ybc-ul-component\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best in spring before budding or in autumn. Container seedlings can be planted year-round except in extreme heat, but need shading to settle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePrune promptly after flowering\u003c\/strong\u003e (remove faded flowers and overly dense branches) to favor flowering the following year. Regularly prune color block seedlings to maintain shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and Fertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers moisture but avoids waterlogging. Apply dilute acidic fertilizer (e.g., ferrous sulfate + cake fertilizer water) during the growing season. Control fertilizer in autumn to help overwintering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ybc-li-component ybc-li-component_ul\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ybc-li-component__dot-wp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Maintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e In alkaline soil areas, regularly irrigate with ferrous sulfate solution to prevent leaf chlorosis (yellowing).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","offers":[{"title":"Potted seedlings, larger saplings, and landscape-grade trees in various sizes available","offer_id":45176150556781,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/1727\/7293\/files\/satsuki-azalea-rhododendron.jpg?v=1781401576","url":"https:\/\/virturaintl.com\/products\/azalea","provider":"Autumn Field Nursery Base","version":"1.0","type":"link"}