Korean Azalea
Rhododendron yedoense 'Poukhanense'
Height: 6 feet
Spread: 6 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: R. yedoense var. poukhanense
Description:
This is an evergreen azalea variety with a mounded habit and pretty lilac-rose flowers in spring; a densely branched, compact shrub that tends to be more prostrate in open areas; absolutely must have well-drained, highly acidic and organic soil
Ornamental Features
Korean Azalea is smothered in stunning clusters of lightly-scented lilac purple trumpet-shaped flowers with purple spots at the ends of the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has forest green evergreen foliage. The narrow leaves turn an outstanding purple in the fall, which persists throughout the winter.
Landscape Attributes
Korean Azalea is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Korean Azalea is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Korean Azalea will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
