Rhododendron occidentale Anneke - Western Azalea

The Chinese Azalea 'Anneke' is remarkable for its large flowers gathered in terminal clusters canary yellow, fragrant, in April-May. The deciduous foliage displays vibrant colours in autumn. It is a bush for gardens that are somewhat or very shaded, in heather soil, it can be grown in a large pot for the terrace if care is taken to store it in winter. 

Appreciated for its warm and bright spring flowering, the deciduous Azalea 'Anneke' has a bushy habit and reaches a height of 1.50m (4ft 11in) with a spread of 1m at maturity. Its ovate and flexible deciduous leaves are of apretty fresh green. The coloured foliage is attractive in autumn. The large-sized flowers have a widely open trumpet shape. They have a vibrant canary yellow colour and emit a light fragrance.

Hardy down to -20°C (-4 °F), the Chinese Azalea 'Anneke' will appreciate a semi-shaded exposure. This heather soil shrub likes fresh, humus-rich and well-drained soil with an acidic tendency. Plant the deciduous azaleas in heather soil beds, on a slope, in a rockery or at the edge of a bed, in order to enjoy their fragrance and bright flowering, accompanied by Pieris, Heathers, Kalmias, Andromedas and other Japanese Maples..

Divided into 2 horticultural groups, the genus Rhododendron includes on one side the Azaleas, Chinese and Japanese, with small evergreen or deciduous leaves, equipped with 5 stamens per flower, and the Rhododendrons, with ample, evergreen and glossy foliage, whose flowers have more than 10 stamens. Although highly debatable from a botanical point of view, this classification is still widely used by horticultural professionals.