Only One Earth Azalea

Only One Earth Azalea (Rhododendron kiusianum 'Only One Earth') is a Kurume azalea, the group grown for small leaves, dense twiggy growth and a flower display that hides the plant beneath it. It settles at about 1m tall and 1m across, carrying white and pink blooms in one heavy flush, and holds a tidy rounded shape without shearing.

Why you'll love it

• Kurume density. Small leaves on fine twiggy growth make a naturally compact bush, furnished down to the ground rather than leggy at the base.
• One overwhelming flush. White and pink flowers open together and cover the foliage for several weeks.
• It stays small. Roughly 1m by 1m at maturity, so it suits a courtyard, a narrow bed or a large container without constant cutting back.
• Comfortable in humidity. It handles the humid coastal summers that defeat many cool climate flowering shrubs.
• Good for bees and butterflies. The spring flush is a genuine food source at a useful time of year.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A pot 400mm or wider with an acidic mix is ideal, and the compact habit means it holds its shape for years. Matched pots at a shaded doorway suit it well.

Mass planting and borders. Plant 70cm apart for a full mass planting. At that spacing the bushes touch without crowding, which keeps air moving between them in humid weather.

Small gardens. A predictable mature size makes it easy to plan around. Use it as the middle layer between groundcover and a taller screening shrub.

Growing Only One Earth Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade is best, with morning sun and protection from hot afternoon sun. Deep shade reduces flowering, while full exposed sun burns the small leaves. It grows across subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, but takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland districts need a sheltered spot or a movable pot.

Soil. Acidic, free draining and rich in organic matter. Azaleas root near the surface, so improve the top layer with compost instead of digging deep, and mulch 50mm kept off the stems.

Water and feed. Keep the root zone evenly moist for the first two summers, watering deeply twice a week rather than a light daily sprinkle. Feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser after flowering and again in late summer.

Pruning. Trim lightly straight after the flowers finish. Kurume azaleas set next season's buds within a couple of months of flowering, so a late trim costs you the following spring.

What to expect when it arrives

This variety is grown as tube stock. Tubes are young plants, usually 15 to 25cm tall with several fine branches, and they are the affordable way to plant a group or a border. Expect a modest first flowering and two to three years to reach 1m.

Tube stock travels well because the root ball is compact and the plant is light. Plant it out within a week of arrival, keep the mix damp while the roots move out, and shelter it from wind and hot sun for a fortnight. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full azalea care guide
• Compare the other varieties in our azalea range
• Browse plants for small gardens for companions
• See what else performs in a container in plants suited to pots

Common questions

How far apart should I plant them?

70cm apart for a full mass planting or a connected low border. If you want each bush to read as an individual rounded specimen, allow a metre between plants.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All azaleas contain grayanotoxins and are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. Keep it out of reach, or in a raised pot, if your pet chews foliage.

Why did mine not flower this spring?

Usually pruning at the wrong time. Kurume azaleas form buds soon after flowering, so cutting in autumn or winter removes them. Too much shade and too much nitrogen are the next causes.