Dancer Azalea

Dancer Azalea (Azalea indica 'Dancer') is a small to medium rounded evergreen shrub, growing to about 1.2m high and 1m wide, with double flowers in soft shell pink and gently ruffled edges. It is compact enough for a pot and dense enough to make a low flowering hedge.

Why you'll love it

• Soft shell pink flowers. Double blooms with ruffled edges give a delicate, layered look in spring.
• Compact and rounded. At about 1.2m by 1m it stays in scale with small gardens and entries.
• Hedge forming. Its dense habit lets neighbouring plants knit together into a low hedge.
• Evergreen. Leaves hold all year, so the hedge or border still has structure after flowering.
• Container friendly. It is suited to pots, where the shell pink flowers are easy to enjoy up close.

Where it works best

Low flowering hedges. Plant 70cm apart in a single row. The shrubs close up into a low hedge that flowers pale pink in spring.

Feature planting. Use it as a soft accent by a gate or in front of a darker evergreen hedge, where the pale flowers show well.

Pots and groups. Three plants in a wide pot, or a group of five in a bed, give a gentle spring display. Keep them out of reach of pets.

Growing Dancer Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Azaleas love dappled light, with morning sun, afternoon sun or both. A full sun location may be acceptable but not in a hot, dry, exposed position. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. Established plants cope with light frost, but shelter them from hard frost.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter. A potting mix rich in peat moss or humus is ideal for containers. Azaleas thrive in acid ground, so mulch with pine bark and avoid lime.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, then continue watering regularly for the first twelve months so it never dries out. Feed with a slow release fertiliser formulated for azaleas.

Pruning. Prune after spring flowering to promote a dense habit and flowers next season.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Dancer Azalea as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. For a hedge, tube stock is the economical option, though the shrubs need time to merge into a continuous line.

Tube stock is supplied by our grower and is not always on hand. When it shows as sold out, use the notify button on the page and you will be emailed the day it is available again.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full azalea range
• Azalea care guide for Australian gardens
• Best hedging plants
• Plants that suit pots and containers

Common questions

Do I need acid soil?

Azaleas grow best in acid, humus-rich soil. Mulch with pine bark, avoid lime, and use a pot of azalea mix if your soil is alkaline and leaves turn yellow.

Can it be a hedge?

Yes, as a low flowering hedge about 1.2m high. Plant 70cm apart and trim lightly straight after flowering to keep it dense.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Azaleas are toxic to cats, dogs and other animals if chewed or eaten. Plant it away from pets or choose a pet friendly alternative.