Azalea Compte de Keretone
Azalea Compte de Keretone is an evergreen azalea grown for its two-tone pink flowers. The blooms open in spring, covering the plant in a layered display of soft and deeper pink tones that give each flower real depth and interest. This azalea has a tidy, rounded habit and reaches around 1 to 1.5m high and wide at maturity, making it a practical choice for small to medium gardens.
This azalea suits a cottage garden, a Japanese-style planting, or a mixed shrub border. Use it as a single feature plant to draw the eye, or mass several together for a full block of colour. It pairs well with white or deep burgundy azaleas, and the two-tone flowers hold their own alongside other spring-flowering shrubs.
Grow Compte de Keretone in part shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It thrives in free-draining, acidic soil enriched with compost. Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and retain moisture. Avoid heavy, wet ground and exposed, dry positions.
Water regularly through the first summer and during dry spells thereafter. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape. Like all azaleas and rhododendrons, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten, so take care in pet households.
Trimming: Trim lightly straight after flowering in late spring to keep the plant compact and well shaped. Azaleas flower on old wood, so avoid cutting back hard. Remove any dead, weak, or crossing stems as you go.
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 carry on just fine.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A second light feed after flowering encourages healthy new growth. Avoid over-feeding, as the shallow roots are sensitive to excess nutrients.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, particularly over summer. Water deeply during dry spells and mulch well to retain moisture and protect the shallow root system. Never allow the plant to sit in waterlogged ground.
Pest Control: Check regularly for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale insects, paying attention to the undersides of leaves. Treat any infestations early with a suitable spray or horticultural oil to prevent spread.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil and good airflow prevent most problems. Wet or heavy soil increases the risk of Phytophthora root rot. In humid or still conditions, watch for powdery mildew and petal blight. Clear fallen leaves and spent flowers regularly to reduce fungal risk.
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.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
