All flowers
Indian Azalea Wikimedia Commons
Ericaceae

Indian Azalea

Rhododendron indicum

Temperance and fragility.

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Rhododendron
Native to
Japan
Bloom season
Spring
Type
shrub
Height
3-6 ft
Sunlight
part shade
Soil
acidic, well-drained, humus-rich
Water
moderate
Hardiness
7-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Despite being called 'Indian Azalea,' the species actually originates from Japan, not India.
  • The misnomer arose because early European botanists confused its origin with plants from the East Indies.
  • In bonsai culture, Satsuki azaleas (derived from this species) are among the most prized flowering bonsai subjects.
  • A single bush can be covered with hundreds of flowers, sometimes hiding the foliage entirely.
  • Azalea festivals in Japan date back centuries, with some celebrations occurring annually since the Edo period.

Color meanings

0

temperance

1

take care of yourself

Uses

  • garden shrub
  • bonsai
  • indoor flowering plant
  • hedge