Azalea Bit O Sunshine
Azalea Bit O Sunshine is a compact evergreen azalea grown for its neat, rounded habit and reliable spring flowering. The blooms appear in abundance from September, covering the plant in a dense display. This azalea holds its tidy form without much intervention, making it well suited to smaller spaces, borders, and containers. Mature size is typically around 0.6 to 1m high and wide.
This azalea suits a cottage garden, a Japanese-style planting, or a shaded mixed shrub border. Plant several together for a massed effect, or use a single plant to fill a gap in a shaded corner. It also works well in pots on a deck or courtyard. It pairs naturally with other compact azaleas and low-growing ground covers.
Grow Bit O Sunshine in part shade, or morning sun with afternoon shade. It prefers free-draining, acidic soil enriched with compost. Mulch around the base to keep the shallow roots cool and retain moisture. Avoid heavy, wet ground or exposed, hot positions.
Trim lightly after flowering and water well through the first summer. Feed in spring with an azalea and camellia fertiliser. Like all azaleas and rhododendrons, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten.
Trimming: Trim lightly straight after flowering in late spring to maintain a compact, rounded shape. Azaleas flower on old wood, so avoid cutting back hard. Remove any dead or crossing stems at the same time.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. You can remove spent blooms by hand to tidy the plant, but leaving them does no harm and the plant will grow on without any issue.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A light second application after flowering supports the new season's growth. Avoid high-nitrogen or general-purpose fertilisers, as the shallow roots are sensitive to overfeeding.
Watering: Water regularly through the first summer to help the plant establish. In subsequent years, water deeply during dry spells. Mulching the root zone helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool through summer.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale insects. Check the undersides of leaves regularly and treat early with a suitable horticultural oil or insecticide spray.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil and good airflow are the main defences. Wet or heavy soil raises the risk of Phytophthora root rot. In still, humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew and improve airflow where possible. Clear fallen leaves and spent flowers to reduce fungal risk. If leaf gall appears, pick off the pale swollen growth and bin it promptly.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
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