AZALEA WINTER COLORS
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AZALEA WINTER COLORS

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Azaleas are usually classified as deciduous or evergreen, but actually it is not that cut and dry.  I have been growing azaleas for many years now, indicas, kurumes, satsukis, and some that I am not even sure of; but I have come to the conclusion that all are either deciduous or semi-deciduous.  All of them lose a few leaves in winter, some more than others.  Also, as the winter grows colder you are rewarded with a kaleidoscope of colors when the leaves begin to change and drop.

Another interesting charatceristic is that the color of the leaf gives you a clue as to the color of the flower.  This is helpful it you purchase an azalea after it has bloomed and don't know anything of the flowers.  Azaleas with predominately white or light pink flowers will have mostly yellowish leaves.  Those with mostly dark pink, red, or purple flowers will have red or orange leaves.  Also, the leaves that the plant will keep will get a reddish "blush" to them on plants with the latter mentioned flowers.

Here is a small gallery of some of the winter magic of the azaleas the I own.  I plan to update this post later to show how many leaves each one loses.

Azalea Winter Colors

  • Congo
  • Congo
  • Unexpected Winter Bloom
  • Hino Crimson
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