How to Grow Hino Crimson Azalea - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Hino crimson azalea is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has dark green leaves and crimson flowers that bloom in late spring. This plant is native to Japan and is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.

How to Grow Hino Crimson Azalea - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Japanese azalea
  • Satsuki azalea
  • Rhododendron indicum
  • Azalea japonica
  • Formosa azalea

Things to Know

  • Hino Crimson Azalea is a species of deciduous shrub in the genus Rhododendron.
  • It is native to Japan, where it is found on the islands of Honshu and Shikoku.
  • It was introduced to North America in 189
  • It is a popular ornamental plant, grown for its showy flowers.
  • The flowers are typically crimson, although white- and pink-flowered varieties exist.
  • The plant blooms in late spring or early summer.
  • It prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade.
  • It is susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including Japanese beetle, scale, and powdery mildew.
  • It is considered an invasive species in some parts of North America.
  • It can be propagated by seed, division, or rooting of stem cuttings.

Related plant:
Yoshino Cherry

Planting Process

  1. For hino crimson azalea, first step is to find a sunny or partially shaded location in your garden that has well-drained soil.
  2. If you have decided to grow hino crimson azalea in a pot, then choose a pot that is at least 18 inches wide and has drainage holes.
  3. Fill the pot with a quality potting mix and then wet the mix thoroughly.
  4. Take your hino crimson azalea plant out of its current container and lightly loosen the roots.
  5. Place the plant in the center of the pot and then fill in around it with the potting mix.
  6. Water the plant thoroughly and then place the pot in a location that receives indirect sunlight.
  7. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and fertilize the plant every month during the growing season.
  8. In late fall or early winter, before the plant goes dormant, reduce watering and fertilizing.
  9. Bring the pot indoors to a cool location (around 50 degrees Fahrenheit) for the winter.
  10. Once the plant begins to grow in spring, resume watering and fertilizing.

Related plant:
Hinoki Cypress

The Soil

About soil condition, the Crimson Azalea prefers slightly acidic soils but can tolerate neutral to slightly alkaline soils. It prefers well-drained soils, but it can tolerate some flooding if the flooding is not prolonged.

Light condition

Similar to other azaleas, the hino crimson azalea requires sun to partial shade to thrive. It's a compact shrub that's perfect for small gardens and borders. It produces beautiful crimson flowers in late spring.

The Temperature

The temperature condition during the Crimson Azalea Festival is usually cool and comfortable. The average high temperature is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there have been some years where the temperature has been unseasonably warm or cold. In 2016, the average high temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature was 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2017, the average high temperature was 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature was 40 degrees Fahrenheit. no matter what the weather is like, the Crimson Azalea Festival is always a great time!

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 35-45%. The plant cannot tolerate extremely dry or humid conditions. If the humidity level is too high, the leaves will start to droop and the flowers will fall off. If the humidity level is too low, the leaves will become dry and crispy.

Fertilizing

The fertilizer, usually the plant food, provides essential nutrients to the hino crimson azalea so that it can grow properly. The root system is what helps to anchor the plant in the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your hino crimson azalea healthy and blooming beautifully. Pruning in late winter or early spring will encourage new growth and help shape the plant. Be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant.

About Propagating

Propagation is often done by taking cuttings from the mother plant. The cuttings should be taken from new growth, and they should be about 4-6 inches long. The bottom 2 inches of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone, and then the cutting should be planted in a pot filled with a mix of perlite and peat moss. The pot should be kept moist, and in a few weeks, the cutting should have rooted and be ready to be transplanted.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is about 3 to 6 inches per year. However, they can grow as much as 10 inches in a year if they are given the right amount of light, water, and fertilizer. When planting, be sure to keep them in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that the leaves may turn yellow and the plant may not bloom. If the leaves turn yellow, it is likely due to a lack of water. The plant may not bloom if it is not getting enough light.

Growing Tips

  • If you are growing hino crimson azaleas indoors, make sure to provide them with plenty of bright, indirect light.
  • These plants prefer acidic soil, so be sure to use a potting mix that is formulated for acidic loving plants.
  • Keep the soil evenly moist, but never soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out in between watering.
  • Feed your hino crimson azalea once a month with a fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants.
  • These plants do not like to be disturbed, so be sure to transplant them into their final location.
  • Hino crimson azaleas are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, so be sure to monitor your plant closely and take action immediately if you see any signs of problems.
  • These plants are semi-evergreen and will lose some of their leaves in the winter months.
  • Hino crimson azale

Substitution

  • Hino Crimson Azalea.
  • Mucronulatum (hino crimson azalea, crest azalea, carolina rose azalea).
  • Pallasii (hino crimson azalea, liliiflorum azalea, pallasazalee, pallas azalea).
  • Mikawa yama (hino crimson azalea, mikawayama azalea, rubra azalea).
  • Indicum (hino crimson azalea, indicaaa azalea, taiwan azalea, satsuki azalea).
  • Kurume hybrids (hino crimson azalea, kurume hybrids azalea, kurume hybrids azalea).
  • Mucronatum (hino crimson azalea, crest azalea, carolina rose azalea ).

Source:
Arboretum | Marywood University
Azalea Care | Home & Garden Information Center - Clemson …
Key Plant, Key Pests: Azalea ( Rhododendron spp.) - University of Florida

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category