Mistral Indica Azalea

Mistral Indica Azalea (Rhododendron indicum 'Mistral') is a white flowering indica azalea for the shaded beds and pots where most flowering shrubs give up. It reaches about 1.5m tall and 1.5m wide, evergreen and slow growing, so it holds its shape with very little cutting. When it flowers it covers itself, which is the reason to plant an indica azalea rather than something tidier.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers in part shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade gives the best display. Very few shrubs flower this heavily out of full sun.
• White flowers in quantity. The display buries the foliage for several weeks, reading as a solid block of white in a mass planting.
• Evergreen and slow growing. It keeps its leaves year round and puts on modest growth, so it does not outgrow its position.
• Reliable in a pot. Shallow fibrous roots suit container growing, provided the mix is acidic and the watering consistent.

Where it works best

Shaded and part shaded beds. Under an established tree, along a south facing wall or on the shaded side of a path. Deep shade is too dark; broken light is the target.

Pots and containers. Use a pot at least 400mm wide with an azalea and camellia mix. Potted azaleas dry out fast, and a plant that dries out while budding drops them.

Informal hedging and mass planting. Plant 1m apart, and allow three to four years before the row reads as continuous.

One honest note: all azaleas are toxic to cats and dogs, worth knowing before planting at ground level where pets chew foliage.

Growing Mistral Indica Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade, sheltered from hot afternoon sun and drying wind. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and copes with humidity. It takes light frost only, so young plants in cold districts want shelter for two winters.

Soil. Acidic, free draining and high in organic matter. Never add lime. The roots sit in the top 200mm of soil, so mulch 50mm deep and do not cultivate around the base.

Water and feed. Consistent moisture matters more than volume, because shallow roots wilt quickly and a dry summer costs next season's flowers. Feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser after flowering and again in mid summer.

Pruning. Prune straight after flowering and no later, since next season's buds are set over summer.

The honest problems. Petal blight turns open flowers to brown mush in warm humid weather, and lace bug silvers the leaves in a hot dry position. Both are manageable with air movement and morning sun.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in two sizes: 140mm pots as a pack of ten, and 200mm pots as a pack of six. The 140mm plants are the value option for a hedge: at 1m spacing a pack plants a ten metre run. The 200mm plants are branched and usually flower in their first season.

A few dropped leaves on arrival is normal after time in a box. Water thoroughly on the day it lands, keep the root ball damp for a month, and be patient: three to four years to full size is realistic. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our complete azalea care guide.
• Compare varieties across the full azalea range.
• Browse more plants for partial shade.
• See other flowering plants for the same bed.

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Slowly. Expect three to four years to reach around 1.5m from a 140mm plant, which is a feature in a small garden.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All azaleas contain compounds that are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. Plant it out of reach, or choose a pet friendly shrub if your animals chew garden plants.

Why do the flowers go brown and soggy?

That is usually petal blight, a fungal problem of warm humid weather. Improve air movement, clear fallen flowers, and avoid overhead watering while it is in bloom.