Kirin Azalea

Kirin Azalea (Rhododendron 'Kirin') is the compact Kurume azalea that covers itself in soft rose pink flowers in early spring, then behaves itself for the rest of the year. It settles at about 1m tall and 1m wide, with small dark evergreen leaves and a naturally dense habit, so it keeps its shape with very little work. It prefers part shade, which makes it useful where sun lovers give up.

Why you'll love it

• A spring display that hides the plant. Small hose in hose flowers open so thickly in early spring that the foliage almost disappears behind them.
• Compact and evergreen. At 1m by 1m it stays in scale in a small garden, and the fine dark leaves carry the plant through the rest of the year.
• It performs in part shade. Dappled light, or morning sun with afternoon shelter, gives the best flowering and solves the bed most shrubs sulk in.
• Frost hardy and humidity tolerant. It grows well in subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, so it suits a wide slice of the country.

Where it works best

Borders, edging and low hedging. Plant 60cm apart for a low massed border. At that spacing the plants merge into an unbroken band within two to three seasons and clip to a hedge at 60cm to 80cm.

Pots and small gardens. A pot 400mm or wider suits it, and acidic potting mix is the simplest way to grow azaleas where garden soil is alkaline.

Mass planting under trees. Massed at 60cm centres beneath an open canopy, it gives a sheet of spring colour in ground too shaded for most flowering shrubs.

Growing Kirin Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade is ideal, particularly shelter from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves and shortens flowering. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and is frost hardy once established. It is not suited to arid inland districts or the wet tropics.

Soil. Acidic, free draining and rich in organic matter, ideally a pH between 5 and 6. Azaleas are surface rooted, so mulch 50mm to 75mm deep and never cultivate around the base.

Water and feed. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially while buds form in late summer and autumn, because dryness then costs you next spring's flowers. Feed with an azalea and camellia fertiliser after flowering.

Pruning. Trim within a month of flowering finishing, and no later. Next season's buds set through summer, so a late cut removes the flowers before they appear.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 140mm in packs of ten, and 200mm in packs of six. Tube stock is young and the value choice for a long border, taking two or three seasons to make a solid display. The 140mm and 200mm plants are bushy and normally flower in their first spring with you.

Some bud drop after transit is normal rather than a fault. Water it in well, keep the mulch off the stem, and expect roots to move within four to six weeks in mild weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to lower soil pH for azaleas and other acid lovers
• Browse the full azalea range
• Compare plants suited to part shade
• Compact shrubs for small gardens

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All azaleas and rhododendrons contain grayanotoxins and are toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten. If your pet chews plants, choose something else or plant it out of reach.

When should I prune it?

Within a few weeks of the flowers finishing in spring. Buds for the next season form over summer, so pruning in autumn or winter removes the coming display.

Why are the leaves turning yellow between the veins?

That usually means the soil is too alkaline and the plant cannot take up iron. Lower the pH with an acidifying soil conditioner, mulch with composted pine bark, and feed with an azalea and camellia fertiliser.