Japanese Azalea 'Muttertag'

Japanese Azalea 'Muttertag' (Rhododendron obtusum 'Muttertag') is a cultivar whose name translates from German as "Mother's Day", and it looks every bit as festive. It is a low evergreen shrub of the Kurume group, with small glossy dark green leaves and a very generous spring flowering.

The bush is low and wide: Kurume azaleas keep within 0.3-0.9 m in height and 0.6-1.2 m across, so 'Muttertag' is planted at the front - beneath larger evergreen rhododendrons, in borders, heather and shade gardens, or in a container by the door.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The cultivar name translates from German as "Mother's Day", and the flowers themselves are shaped like miniature red roses.
• Dimensions: At 10 years it stays within 0.3-0.9 m tall and 0.6-1.2 m wide - a dense, spreading shrub.
• Hardiness: It winters confidently down to -29 °C (USDA zone 5).
• Light: It is happiest in partial or dappled shade, in a spot sheltered from strong wind.
• Soil: It loves acid soil (pH 5.0-5.5), humus-rich, moisture-retentive and at the same time well drained.
• Watering: Water regularly and moderately: the surface roots must not dry out, and standing water is not tolerated either.
• Care: Mulch with bark or pine needles, do not cultivate the soil under the bush, and snap off spent flower heads at once.
• Landscape use: Lovely in masses, groups and as a specimen in heather, woodland and shady gardens, in borders and containers.