Alba Magnifica Azalea

Alba Magnifica Azalea (Rhododendron indicum 'Alba Magnifica', still sold under the older name Azalea indica) is the white flowering azalea for a shaded fence line that needs more than a plain green shrub. It settles at about 1.5m tall and wide, holds small glossy leaves all year, then covers itself in large single white flowers from late winter into spring. Very few evergreen hedging plants flower this hard in part shade.

Why you'll love it

• A hedge that flowers. Neat evergreen structure most of the year, then a white wall in spring.
• It wants the difficult position. Morning sun with afternoon shelter beats open sun, and that is the spot most gardens struggle to fill.
• Pure white, no clash. Single flowers to about 8cm across, unmarked, and open enough for bees and butterflies to work.
• Built for pots. Azalea roots are shallow and fibrous, so a container suits them naturally.

Where it works best

Low hedging and borders. Plant 80cm apart. The plants knit within two seasons, and the finished hedge holds anywhere between 80cm and its full 1.5m.

Mass planting under trees. At the same 80cm centres beneath a high canopy it gives an even sweep of white where lawn only sulks.

Pots and entries. One plant in a 400mm pot of acidic mix makes a long lived doorway feature.

Growing Alba Magnifica Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Bright, sheltered part shade, out of hot western sun. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and takes humidity well. Frost tolerance is light only, so hard frosting inland and tableland gardens want a sheltered wall and cover for the first two winters.

Soil. This decides the outcome. Azaleas need acidic soil, roughly pH 5.0 to 6.0, and sharp drainage. Work compost and aged pine bark through the bed, and plant slightly high rather than deep.

Water and feed. The roots sit in the top 20cm and dry out fast, so water deeply twice a week through summer under 75mm of mulch kept clear of the stems. Feed with an azalea and camellia fertiliser once flowering finishes.

Pruning. Trim within a month of the last flower. Buds set through summer, so a late cut removes next season's display. A tired plant can be cut hard into bare wood and will reshoot.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in five sizes: tube, 140mm in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 300mm pots. Tube and 140mm plants are young and the value choice for a long hedge run. The 250mm and 300mm plants are already bushy, and suit pots.

Azaleas travel well: tough foliage, compact root ball. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Expect buds to sit tight for a few weeks, then normal growth once roots move into the bed. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full azalea range
• How to lower soil pH for acid loving plants
• Planting and maintaining a sharp hedge
• More plants for partial shade

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Eighty centimetres apart in a single row. Tighter spacing makes the plants compete for the same shallow moisture without closing any faster, and it shows up as thin growth near the base.

Will it grow in full sun?

It survives, but leaves yellow and flowers burn off within days in hot inland sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade gives the best flower count and the deepest leaf colour.

Why are the leaves pale yellow between the veins?

That is soil pH, not a lack of feeding. Above about pH 6.5 the plant cannot take up iron, so apply iron chelates and an acidifying fertiliser, then top up the pine bark mulch.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All parts of an azalea are toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten, and small amounts can cause vomiting and heart problems. Plant it out of reach of a pet that chews foliage.