Azalea 142813 223821367 2008-07-05T23:55:57Z 76.126.142.98 /* Differences */ {{Expand|date=April 2008}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Azalea'' | image = azalea.750pix.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''Rhododendron'' 'Hinodegiri' | regnum = [[Plantae]] | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Ericales]] | familia = [[Ericaceae]] | genus = ''[[Rhododendron]]'' | subgenus = ''[[Pentanthera]]'' <br> &nbsp;and <br> ''[[Tsutsusi]]'' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = ''see text'' ---- Source: The [[Rhododendron]] page, and some research. }} '''Azaleas''' are flowering [[shrub]]s making up part of the genus ''[[Rhododendron]]''. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of [[plant]], but now they are recognised as two of the eight sub-genera of rhododendrons - subgenus ''[[Pentanthera]]'' (deciduous), and subgenus ''Titsushi'' (evergreen). ==Differences== [[Image:Azalee2.jpg|thumb|left|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, while most azaleas have terminal [[bloom]]s (one flower per flower [[Plant stem|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 (season)|spring]]. The exception to this rule is a small group of azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters. [[Image:whiteazalea.jpg|left|thumb|An azalea flower close up]] The [[Satsuki azalea]] group, derived from ''Rhododendron indicum'' and related species, are very popular. A [[Korean wine#Flower wines|traditional alcoholic beverage]] made from azalea blossoms, called ''Tugyonju'' (literally "azalea wine"), is produced in Korea.<ref>[http://www.skynews.co.kr/skynews_main/ENGLISH/window_on_korea/wok_028.htm Korean tradition]</ref> [[Image:Pink_Azalea.JPG|right|thumb|A pink azalea flower]] Also, if you are a dog owner, azalea's are the most common toxic plant that dogs digest. ==Cultivation== Plant enthusiasts have created azaleas for hundreds of years. This human genetic modification has produced over 10,000 different [[cultivar]]s which are propagated by cuttings. Azalea [[seed]]s can also be collected and [[germination|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)<ref>[http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1059.htm Clemson University Factsheet]</ref>. [[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. ==Azalea festivals== [[Image:Azaleas JH.jpg|thumb|left|Fifty year old Azalea]]<!--attribution required: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/image:Azaleas JH.jpg--> Many cities in the United States have festivals in the spring celebrating the blooms of the azalea, including [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]<ref>[http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/ North Carolina Azalea Festival Website<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>; [[Norfolk, Virginia]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.org/ Norfolk, Virginia, Azalea Festival Website<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>; [[Valdosta, Georgia]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.com/ Valdosta, Georgia, Azalea Festival Website]</ref>; [[Palatka, Florida]]<ref>[http://www.flazaleafest.com/ Palatka, Florida, Azalea Festival Website]</ref>; [[Pickens, South Carolina]]<ref>[http://pickenschamber.org/AzaleaFest/ Pickens, South Carolina, Azalea Festival Website]</ref>; [[Muskogee, Oklahoma]]<ref>[http://www.cityofmuskogee.com/ Muskogee, Oklahoma, Azalea Festival Website]</ref>; [[South Gate, California]]<ref>[http://www.azaleafestival.net/ South Gate, California, Azalea Festival Website]</ref>; [[Mobile, Alabama]]; and [[Dothan, Alabama]]<ref>[http://www.VisitDothanAL.com/ Dothan, Alabama, Azalea Festival Website<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. [[Tyler, Texas]] features an eight mile azalea trail in the spring that has been featured in several magazines.<ref>[http://www.tylerazaleatrail.com/ Tyler, Texas, Azalea Trail Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:redazalea.jpg|right|thumb|A close up of a red azalea flower]] ==Disease== Azalea leaf 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. [http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/azaleagall/azaleagall.htm Azalea Leaf Gall Fact Sheet] ==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== {{reflist|2}} == External links == * [http://www.azaleas.org/ Azalea Society of America] * [http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/azalea.html Azalea Collection of the U.S. National Arboretum] * [http://www.rhododendron.org/ American Rhododendron Society] * [http://www.rhodo.citymax.com/page/page/38017.htm Rhododendron Society of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada] * [http://www.victoriarhodo.ca/ Rhododendron Society of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada] * [http://www.rhodoniagara.org/ Rhododendron Society of Niagara, Ontario, Canada] * [http://www.americainbloom.org/Articles/?categoryId=12&ArticleId=15 America in Bloom] * [http://www.communitiesinbloom.ca/ Canadian Communities in Bloom] {{commonscat|Azalea}} [[Category:Rhododendron]] [[Category:Garden plants]] [[Category:Flowers]] [[Category:Shrubs]] [[da:Azalea]] [[de:Azalee]] [[el:Αζαλέα]] [[es:Azalea]] [[eo:Azaleo]] [[fr:Azalée]] [[lt:Azalija]] [[id:Azalea]] [[ja:ツツジ]] [[pl:Azalia]] [[ru:Азалия]] [[sk:Azalky]] [[sv:Azalea]] [[zh:杜鵑花]]