Japanese Azalea 'Kermesina Rose'

Japanese Azalea 'Kermesina Rose' (Rhododendron 'Kermesinum Rose') is a two-tone rarity among the plain red azaleas. Each small ruby-pink flower, 3.2-3.6 cm across, is outlined with a crisp white margin and carries wine-red speckling inside, so it looks as though it were painted by hand.

Plant it in solid low drifts along paths, in heather gardens and on slopes where a dense flowering carpet is wanted. In ten years the shrub spreads to 0.6 m tall and 0.9 m wide, flowers from late May into early June, and holds frosts down to -24 °C in sheltered partial shade.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: Every ruby-pink flower is rimmed with a fine white line, visible even from a distance.
• Dimensions: In 10 years it makes 0.6 m tall and 0.9 m wide, holding a dense shape.
• Hardiness: Hardy down to -24 °C (USDA zone 5b).
• Flowering: From late May to early June it opens ruby-pink flowers of 3.2-3.6 cm with a smart white edging.
• Light: Happiest in partial shade or dappled light: morning sun, a little shade at midday and a snug spot sheltered from strong wind.
• Soil: Loves acidic soil at pH 5.0-5.5, rich in humus and evenly moist. The one thing it will not take is standing water, so good drainage is a must.
• Watering: Water moderately but regularly: the shallow roots dislike drying out and standing water in equal measure.
• Care: Mulch with bark or pine needles, leave the soil under the bush undisturbed, and trim the spent blooms right after flowering.
• Landscape use: Low edging, heather and rock gardens, underplanting for rhododendrons; lovely in groups and containers in partial shade.
• Origin: A bud sport of the old Dutch cultivar 'Kermesinum' from Boskoop, selected by A. Wernken in 1972.