Alias: Rhododendron simsii, mountain pomegranate, Rhododendron kaempferi, Red Azalea

Family Name: Ericaceae       

1. Morphological Character

There are varieties of species in the Rhododendron genus with different shapes, from large arbors (more than 20 meters in height) to small shrubs (from 10 to 20 centimeters in height). It has a straight or stolonic trunk, alternate or verticillate branch. Its leaves are leathery or papery, evergreen, half defoliation or defoliation. Its leaves are lanceolate and turn ovoid later.

The flower is acrogenous or axillary, uniflorous or floriferous, and constitutes an umbel. The corolla is infundibular or campanulate, in various colors like white, yellow, magenta and multicolored.

There are more than 850 species of azalea, distributed in Europe, Asia and North America, with Asia boasting the largest quantity.

2. Common Species in China

Summer azalea, western azalea, Rhododendron ovatum Planch

3. Main Points for Planting

It can be reproduced by seeding, cuttage, engrafting and layering, etc.