Sweet Nellie Azalea

Sweet Nellie Azalea (Azalea indica 'Sweet Nellie') is a medium growing evergreen shrub, about 1m high and wide, with loose, relaxed double flowers in bright cerise pink each spring. The foliage is small and neat, and in cold weather it turns shades of pink and brown.

Why you'll love it

• Bright cerise double flowers. Loose, relaxed blooms cover the shrub in spring in a vivid pink.
• Small, neat foliage. The leaves are fine and tidy, which keeps the plant looking refined between flowerings.
• Winter colour. In cold weather the leaves turn shades of pink and brown, adding a second layer of interest.
• A compact 1m shrub. It stays in scale with small gardens, courtyards and containers.
• Suits Japanese style planting. The neat habit and vivid flowers are at home beside gravel, stone and maples.

Where it works best

Japanese style gardens. Use it as a feature shrub in a quiet, shaded setting with maples, ferns and stone. Plant individual shrubs about 1m apart so each reads as its own shape.

Containers. A pot on a patio brings the pink up to eye level. Use azalea mix, and keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.

Beds under trees. Dappled light from tall trees suits it, with the fine foliage showing against the bark and mulch.

Growing Sweet Nellie Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Azaleas love dappled light, with morning sun, afternoon sun or both. Full sun is 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 well drained soil rich in organic matter. Azaleas thrive in acid soil: after planting, spread a layer of pine bark mulch or pine needles, which gradually acidifies the soil as you water.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, then continue watering regularly for the first twelve months. 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 Sweet Nellie Azalea as tube stock and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, while the 200mm pots arrive larger and closer to flowering size.

Availability of tube stock depends on our grower. A sold out tube simply means none is on hand right now, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day it is back.

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
• Creating a Japanese inspired garden
• Plants for partial shade

Common questions

How do I make my soil more acid for it?

Spread a layer of pine bark mulch or pine needles after planting. As you water, it gradually lowers the soil pH, and a pot of azalea mix is the simpler option in alkaline ground.

Is it safe for dogs and cats?

No. Azaleas are toxic to cats, dogs and other animals if chewed or eaten. Keep it away from pets that browse on plants.

Why have the leaves turned pink and brown?

That is its normal winter colouring. In cold weather the foliage takes on pink and brown shades, then greens up again as it warms.