Family: Ericaceae
Species: Rhododendron spp. L.
Common name: Azalea and Rhododendron
Etymology
The genus name comes from the ancient Greek rhodon (“pink”) and dendron (“tree”), which refers to the pink flowers typical of many species in nature. The epithet “azalea” derives from azaleós, meaning “dry,” because some varieties prefer dry soils.
Description
Azalea is a plant belonging to the Ericaceae family and is part of the Rhododendron genus. Thus, it is essentially a type of Rhododendron, although there are some minor morphological differences. For instance, azaleas are generally smaller (not exceeding 90 cm in height), and their flowering produces only one bud per stem rather than clusters of flowers.
They are shrubs with an elongated or rounded shape, featuring thin, densely branched stems that are dark in colour and woody in consistency. The foliage consists of dark green leaves, 3–7 cm long, shiny on the upper surface, and lighter or rust-coloured (sometimes nearly white) on the underside, which can also be hairy. The leaf margin is entire and revolute, and the leaves feel rather rough to the touch.
Flowering occurs in spring (from March to May, depending on the variety). The trumpet-shaped flowers may be single or double and appear at the tips of the branches. They are especially appealing due to their white, red, or pink hues.
Like all ericaceous plants, azaleas have a superficial root system; their fragile, compact roots live in symbiosis with microscopic fungi.
Many species are used as ornamental plants.
Habitat
Azalea originates in Asia, specifically in the wooded, humid regions of that continent.
Notes and Curiosities
Azaleas arrived in Italy in the early 1800s with English wool traders who travelled to the north. The area of the Great Lakes is their natural environment; they favour cool, partially shaded spots sheltered from the wind. The plant requires soil with an acidic pH, generally rich in natural humus. In gardens, people often choose plants whose scent is reminiscent of carnation and honeysuckle, featuring a hint of honey.
Azalea is often considered a flower of good luck. According to tradition, if kept indoors or in the garden, it brings calm and temperance to its surroundings.
In the Heller garden, they border the park’s pathways. During their flowering, they offer visitors a powerful emotional experience, thanks to the wide range of their blooms: from every shade of pink to bright red, intense purple, and pure white, with an infinite variety of colour nuances and combinations. The flowering lasts for many weeks.