Rhododendron obtusum Fairy Dreams Three Sisters

The 'Fairy Dreams' 'Three Sisters' Japanese Azalea is a combination of 3 different coloured varieties in a single pot, like a bouquet of Azaleas. It is grown like a typical Japanese azalea, in acidic soil. This variety combines 3 or even 4 colours: white, orange, red, and pink funnel-shaped flowers. The nectar-rich flowers are produced profusely on a low shrub with shiny dark green foliage that almost disappears completely under the abundant flowers. This Azalea, like its Japanese counterparts, thrives in partial shade, in consistently moist soil, free from limestone.

The Fairy Dreams Three Sisters Japanese Azalea is part of a series of hybrids derived from Rhododendron obtusum. Rhododendron obtusum is now considered a hybrid of Rhododendron sataense, R. kiusinum, and R. kaempferi. It is a mostly evergreen shrub of the Ericaceae family. All these hardy plants are native to Japan, China, and Korea. It is characterised by a dazzling spring flowering and leaves that are not completely evergreen. These azaleas have two types of foliage: spring foliage, which is thin and relatively large, and foliage that forms in late summer, which is tougher and smaller. The spring leaves fall in autumn, while the majority of the leaves produced in late summer will persist throughout winter. In this selection, 'Fairy Dreams' 'Three Sisters', the foliage takes on a reddish hue in autumn. It is hardy to approximately -15°C (5°F). It should be covered with a thick winter mulch and potted subjects should be protected even more. It is a medium-sized variety, with a dense and compact habit. The vegetation reaches about 70-80 cm (28-32in) high at the age of 10 years. Flowering occurs for about 3 weeks, usually in May, depending on the climate. Its trumpet-shaped flowers are white, pink, red, and orange. They are gathered in generous terminal clusters that almost completely hide the foliage. The leaves are single, ovate and lanceolate, with entire margins, arranged alternately on the branches. Their size ranges from 4 to 5 cm (2in) in length, and they are fairly dark green and shiny. Rhododendrons develop a shallow root system, which should never lack moisture, but they dislike stagnant moisture that suffocates them.

Japanese Azaleas thrive in humid and cool climates, with temperate summers, in humus-bearing and acidic soil. They are beautiful evergreen shrubs for flower beds or potted plants, attractive all year round. They happily accompany Japanese Maples or their relatives, Chinese Azaleas, which change their appearance throughout the seasons, as well as Japanese Camellias and their graceful cousins with often fragrant autumn flowering, the hybrids of C.sasanqua. This 'Fairy Dreams' 'Three Sisters' variety is a marvel on the terrace or balcony, like a bouquet in a carefully chosen large pot, with a suitable substrate, and watered with non-limestone water.