Azalea is often used as an ornamental plant.
Azalea is the name of a small tree that belongs to the Ericaceae family group. The term, which comes from scientific Latin, can also be accented on the second letter A ( azálea ), as indicated by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) in its dictionary.
Azaleas can reach a height of two meters. Due to the beauty of their flowers , these are plants frequently cultivated for ornamental purposes in many countries.
Azalea Features
It is important to keep in mind that there are thousands of varieties of azaleas. Therefore, although the main characteristics are shared, the specimens may show several differences depending on the species .
Azaleas usually need acidic soil and partial shade to thrive. Its growth usually occurs slowly and requires frequent but not excessive watering .
It should be noted that there are azaleas that grow in closed spaces (that is, indoors). In any case, it is not advisable for them to remain in very hot places since their flowering is longer if the environment is cool.
What are the flowers like?
The flowers of azaleas are of considerable size, making these shrubs very attractive. The colors can be varied, including various shades of white , red and pink .
These flowers, which can be grouped in corymb inflorescences or located in the axil of the leaves , are composed of five sepals and display a corolla of five petals.
The colors of azalea flowers can be varied.
Azalea care
For the survival of azaleas, we must try to avoid sudden changes in temperature . They must be guaranteed access to sunlight although without direct exposure and they must also be provided with the appropriate level of humidity through irrigation (they do not have to be dry but they do not have to be waterlogged either).
When water accumulates on the plant, mold may appear. That is why irrigation must be done with caution.
Another issue to consider is that the azalea can suffer from the actions of bed bugs , caterpillars and other pests. The use of pesticides and other resources must be taken into account to maintain the health of the plant.
Places in the United States
Different sites in the United States are named with the term Azalea . In the state of California , for example, there is an unincorporated area called Azalea in Siskiyou County.
Azalea Park , meanwhile, is located in the state of Florida . This place, which is part of Orange County , had more than 12,000 inhabitants according to the most recent census data.
“Red Azalea”, Min's autobiography
The Chinese writer - based in the United States - Anchee Min published her autobiography titled “Red Azalea” in 1994 . This title was translated into our language as “Red Azalea” .
In the work , Min narrates his experiences in China , where he lived from his birth in 1957 until he emigrated in 1984 . The author wrote “Red Azalea” between 1984 and 1992 , developing the text in English and not in her language of origin. In 2013 , Min released another memoir ( “The Cooked Seed: A Memoir” ).