|The Satsuki Japanese azaleas are believed to have originated
several hundred years ago from natural crosses between R.
indicum and R. tamarae. (R. tamarae was formerly known as R.
eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var. eriocarpum.) Later,
horticulturists continued the crosses between these two species
as well as others. Compact, low-growing, evergreen shrub that is
twiggy and dense with a spreading to rounded form. The small
leaves (1/2 to 2 inches long) vary widely in shape, usually
lance-shaped to elliptic. Flowers, often multicolored in various
patterns, are borne from May to June and also vary in size (from
less than one to more than five inches) and shape. Satsukis are
the most popular azaleas in Japan, especially for bonsai
culture. In the garden, this is a front of the border shrub
because of its lower height--perfect for the smaller garden.
Prune immediately after flowering. Satsukis seem to be able to
handle a little more sunlight than most azaleas, but this does
not mean "hot" sun. Filtered l