Azalea japonica Schneewittchen

The Japanese Azalea Schneewittchen is a variety of hybrid Rhododendron that stands out for its particularly generous pure white spring flowers, a little later than other Japanese azaleas. It is a low, spreading, very dense bush that remains decorative even after flowering due to its glossy green, evergreen foliage. Perfectly hardy, this Japanese azalea thrives only in acidic, moist, but well-drained soils, in semi-shade or shade.

The Schneewittchen hybrid Rhododendron is a German nursery-bred variety dating back to 1980. The slow-growing shrub has a low and bushy habit, wider than tall, reaching approximately 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and 1 m (3.28 ft) in spread by the age of 10. It flowers abundantly between late May and early June. The funnel-shaped flowers are gathered in generous terminal clusters. The foliage, semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on the climate, is composed of small, simple, elliptical, hairy, smooth-edged leaves arranged alternately on the branches, varying from 2.5 to 5 cm (1 - 2 in) in length. In spring they are a rather light green but the late summer foliage is fairly dark green with a glossy finish. Azaleas and rhododendrons have a shallow root system that always needs to be kept moist, but they also dislike waterlogged soil which would suffocate them.

Japanese azaleas thrive in cool climates with distinct winters, planted in humus-rich and acid soil, such as ericaceous soil. They are very beautiful evergreen shrubs for borders or flowering pots, attractive all year round. They are a perfect accompaniment to heathers, Japanese maples or their relatives, Chinese Azaleas, which change their appearance throughout the seasons, as well as Japanese camellias and their graceful cousins, the often fragrant, autumn-flowering Camellia sasanqua hybrids.

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