Azaleas Kurume

Japanese Azaleas

Kurume Azaleas are named after the town of Kurume which is situated on the island of Kyushu in southwest of Fukuoka Prefecture.

It was Motozo Sakamoto who first started growing and hybridising these plants in any meaningful way, and this was during late 1700s. He was followed by Kijiro Akashi who furthered the development of these azaleas.

It was not until Ernest Henry Wilson imported 50 varieties into the USA in the early 1900s that Kurume Azaleas became popular outside of Japan. Up until then it was the Indica types with larger flowers that were available.

Description

All Kurume Azaleas are evergreen or at lest semi evergreen.

The colder the climate the more likley they are to be almost deciduous.

They flower in spring over 3 months and the flowers are mainly single in form or with some they are flower within a flower or ‘hose in hose’.

The plants themselves have a dense bushy habit which distinguishes them from the Indica forms.

Colour range is from whites through to pinks such as ‘Kirin’ ( Daybreak) and reds such as the very beautiful ‘Hinodegiri’ ( Red Hussar) with in between shades. Occasionally multi coloured flowers s well.

It is another Japanese type, the Satsuki types are the ones most widely used in Bonsai.

Varieties Include :

• Asawa – Pink Flowers
• Aya kamuri – Pink Flowers
• Christmas Cheer – Red Flowers
• Kasane kagaribi – Salmon Pink Flowers
• Hino de giri – Hot Pink
• Kurumu seiki – White
• Kirin – Small pink flowers
• Fred Robert – Red
• Red Robin – Red
• Wards ruby – Red

Most of these can be grown in the garden or in a container and can be pruned after flowering to keep in a tight shape, or pruned to create a more interesting open growth habit.

Flowering time is in spring, however many of the Kurume types will spot flower through to summer into autumn.

Most will reach around 1 – 1.5 metres in height. Flower size and form also differs.

How To Grow Kurume Azaleas – Basic Care

• Garden Uses : Plant as individual specimens in the lawn, or in groups in the garden border.  Also used as an informal hedge or grown in containers.
• Position : Best in dappled shade to good morning sun. Full sun is OK, however in warmer climates filtered light or at least some protection fom hot afternoon sun is best.
• Soil : A humus rich well drained soil with pH slightly on the acidic side. Mulch deeply each year to maintain a cool moist root run.
• Mulch : This is importnt as Kurume Azaleas are a shallow rooted plant, a good layer of mulch will help retain moisture and as it breaks down add nutrients to te soil.
• Watering : Once established, with good soil and mulch you will only need to water during ling hot dry conditions. In containers regular watering will be required.
• Fertiliser : Use a slow release organic type fertiliser once a year. You can also top dress with some aged cow manure when you renew the mulch.
  Some specialist fertilisers for Azaleas are also available.
• Diseases and Problems
  One common problem when Azaleas are grown in shade is lace bug, this causes silvery leaves. This can be treated by spaying with insecticidal soap or neem oil .

Pruning Kurume Azaleas

The time to prune is after flowering, you need to do this to avoid pruning away next years flower buds. As azaleas flower on old wood (last years growth) late pruning will result in no or very few flowers.

We suggest light pruning each year or to more errant growth. Dead or damaged wood can be removed at any time.

Wilsons 50 A Little History

It was Ernest Wilson who really brought these plants to the forefront when in 1918 he visited the garden of Mr Kijiro Akashi and selected what he considered to be the 50 best. Many of these wee bred by Motozou Sakamoto others date back to the Meiji to the Taisho era, and these were sent to the world famous Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts where they were propagated and then distributed.

The plants were numbered 1 – 50 and Wilson renamed them, although all did originally have Japanese Names, some seen as difficult to translate.

So No. 27 ‘Katsura no Hana’ which roughly translates as Moon light, was renamed by Wilson as Ruth

Kurume Azaleas are available for sale from the following nurseries

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