White Bouquet Azalea

White Bouquet Azalea (Rhododendron indicum 'White Bouquet', sold widely as Azalea indica) is the shrub for the shaded side of the house that never quite works. It sits at about 1.2m tall and 1.2m wide, evergreen through the year, then covers itself in pure white flowers densely enough to hide the leaves. Give it dappled shade and acidic, well drained soil and it repeats that every year.

Why you'll love it

• A complete white flush. The flowering is heavy enough to hide the foliage, which is why azaleas remain the benchmark for shaded colour.
• It earns the shady bed. Dappled shade and morning sun suit it, so it fills the position where sun loving shrubs go thin and leggy.
• A neat, predictable size. Roughly 1.2m in both directions, so it holds its shape against a wall or under a tree without constant cutting back.
• It handles wind and humidity. Wind tolerant and humidity tolerant, useful in a coastal or subtropical garden.

Where it works best

Low informal hedging and mass planting. Plant 80cm apart for a low informal hedge. The plants then meet into a soft continuous band at around 1.2m without the clipped look of a formal boundary.

Borders, pots and feature planting. Used singly it makes a clean white feature under a canopy tree or beside a shaded entry. In a pot, use a 400mm or wider container with an azalea and camellia mix, which lets you control soil acidity precisely.

Growing White Bouquet Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Dappled shade, or morning sun with protection from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland and tableland districts want it under a canopy or against a sheltered wall.

Soil. This is the make or break. Azaleas need acidic, well drained soil rich in organic matter. On neutral or alkaline soil the leaves go pale yellow between the veins and flowering drops away. Work aged pine bark through the bed and mulch 75mm deep.

Water and feed. The roots are fine and shallow, so the plant dries out faster than its size suggests. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer, and feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser after flowering.

Pruning. Trim straight after flowering finishes, taking up to a third off to keep it dense. Pruning later in the year removes the buds that carry next season's display.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes. Tube stock, currently listed on backorder, is the value option for a long informal hedge, though it will be three years before it makes a real show. The 140mm pack of ten and the 200mm pack of six suit mass planting, and the 250mm pack of three gives established plants that flower in their first season with you.

Azaleas travel reasonably well, though a few dropped leaves or bruised buds after transit are normal. Keep the water up for the first two months, because a dry root ball is the most common early failure. 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

• How to lower soil pH
• Browse the full azalea range
• Compare other plants for partial shade
• See the wider flowering plants range

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All parts of an azalea are toxic to cats and dogs, and eating even a small amount can cause vomiting, drooling and more serious effects. If your pet chews plants, choose something else.

Why are the leaves turning yellow between the veins?

That is almost always soil pH rather than a lack of fertiliser. Azaleas cannot take up iron from neutral or alkaline soil. Test the pH, apply a soil acidifier, and new growth should come through green.

When should I prune it?

Immediately after flowering finishes, and not later. Next season's flower buds form through the following months, so a summer or autumn trim will cost you the display.