Azalea Extrante
Azalea Extrante is a compact evergreen azalea with mid purple hose-in-hose flowers. The hose-in-hose form means each bloom is doubled, with one flower sitting inside another, giving the display extra depth and substance. It flowers reliably in spring, typically from September through October, and builds a dense, colourful show across the whole plant. Mature size is modest, making it well suited to smaller gardens and containers.
This azalea fits naturally into a cottage garden or a Japanese-style planting. It also works well in a formal border, where its tidy habit holds a clean edge. Mass several plants together for a solid sweep of purple, or pair single plants with white or soft pink azaleas to create contrast. It performs well in pots on a sheltered deck or patio.
Grow Azalea Extrante in part shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It needs free-draining, acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Mulch well at planting to protect the shallow roots and keep moisture steady. Avoid hot, exposed positions, which cause stress and poor flowering.
Trim lightly after flowering and feed in spring with an azalea and camellia fertiliser. Water regularly through dry spells. 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, around October to November. This keeps the plant compact and shapely. Azaleas flower on old wood, so avoid cutting back hard. Remove any dead, weak, or crossing stems at the same time.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. You can remove spent blooms by hand to tidy the plant after flowering, but leaving them does no harm and the plant will grow on without issue.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A light second feed after flowering supports strong new growth. Avoid high-nitrogen or general-purpose fertilisers, and do not over-feed, as the shallow roots are sensitive.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist through the first summer and during any dry spells after that. Water deeply rather than lightly and often. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the shallow roots cool.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale insects. Check leaf undersides regularly and treat early with horticultural oil or a suitable spray to prevent populations building.
Disease Management: Ensure free-draining soil and good airflow around the plant to prevent Phytophthora root rot. In still, humid conditions, powdery mildew can appear on foliage. Clear fallen leaves and spent flowers regularly. Watch for pale swollen leaf galls caused by Exobasidium; pick these off and dispose of them in the bin, not the compost.
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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
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