For a beautiful splash of color in your garden try the hardy shrubs of Azaleas and Rhododendrons.

   Linnaeus created the genus Rhododendron in 1753, at that time he created a separate genus for Azaleas containing 6 species. In 1796 Salisbury disagreed and said that Azalea and Rhododendron could not be maintained as distinct genera. Then in 1834, George Don came along and subdivided the genus Rhododendron into 8 sections.

  The Azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron: the differences between Azaleas and members of the Rhododendron genus are their size and their flower growth. Rhododendrons grow their flowers in clusters, and Azaleas have one flower per flower stem. Members of the Subgenus Pentanthera have five anthers as typified by deciduous Rhododendron nudiflorum and Subgenus Tsutsusi typified by evergreen Rhododendron tsutsusi.

   One term that is used in describing many azaleas is hose-in-hose. This term is meant to describe what looks like a flower inside a flower. This actually is a flower with a large calyx. The sepals of the calyx are shaped like the petals of the corolla.

   Wild species of these circumpolar plants are at home in the alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, growing in damp acid soils of hills and mountains. In the spring the Azaleas burst forth in a display of colors for about two months. The colors range from white, orange to a vibrant fushia and everything in between.

    Grow Azaleas in well-drained acidic soil in a cool, shady area; at lower elevations they make excellent patio plants since they love the cool shade.

   Azaleas have been hybridized for hundreds of years and there are over 10,000 different cultivars now. Consult nurseries and ask for expert advice on which types are suitable for the environment you can provide.

   World famous Azaleas cultivated in containers are the ones living in the nursery of the Schöbrunn Palace near to Vienna, Austria, including specimens in cultivation there since the era of Empress Maria Theresa (May 13, 1717 – November 29, 1780). Alas, normally these, by today more than two hundred years old specimens are not on public display, however, you might be lucky to see them by tuning in to the New Year Concert of the Vienna Philharmonics, broadcasted worldwide because there are years when the Vienna Opera (the traditional venue of that concert) is decorated with those indeed royal plants. Yes, those Azaleas do project a royal sight coming across even the telly, indeed...

   Nowadays Azaleas and Rhododendrons are are propagated in specialist gardening establishments en masse by cuttings and are sold by the thousands year round, for gardens and special gift plants.

    If you like to stand up to tough challenges then try your hands at the art of propagating them from cuttings - in case you happen to succeed under the usual in home circumstances then you will qualify as certified greenfinger. On the other hand, seeds of many hybrids can be gathered and germinated for new plants relatively easily.

   Fertilizing Rhododendrons and Azaleas calls for special knowledge, because a number of species do not like high levels of nutrients. Especially if they are overfed wit nitrogen, then once or twice a season they may require pruning or they will grow out of hand and will not flower properly.

    A fun tidbit on the beautiful Azaleas: in Korea a traditional alcoholic beverage made from Azalea blossoms, called dugyeonju -- "Azalea wine" -- is produced. Could be another reason to grow these gorgeous plants.