Azalea Gretel
Azalea Gretel is a compact evergreen azalea bearing double flowers in silvery pink with a bright red margin. The two-tone blooms open in spring and create a layered, detailed display across the plant. This azalea has a tidy, rounded habit and reaches around 0.6 to 1m high and wide, making it well suited to smaller spaces and containers.
Gretel fits naturally into a cottage garden or a Japanese-style planting. It also works well in a mixed shrub border alongside other azaleas in contrasting tones. Plant several together for a massed effect, or use single plants to add interest to a shaded corner. The silvery pink and red colouring pairs well with deep burgundy or pure white flowering companions.
Grow this azalea in part shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It prefers free-draining, acidic soil with good organic matter worked through at planting. Mulch around the base to keep the shallow roots cool and moist. Avoid exposed, hot positions and poorly drained ground.
Water regularly through the first summer and during dry spells in subsequent years. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape. Like all azaleas and rhododendrons, Azalea Gretel is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten.
Trimming: Trim lightly straight after flowering in late spring to keep the plant tidy and compact. Azaleas flower on old wood, so avoid cutting hard into older stems. Remove any dead or crossing branches 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 still perform well the following season.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A light second application after flowering supports strong new growth. Avoid over-feeding, as the shallow roots are sensitive to excess nutrients.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply through summer and during any dry periods. A layer of mulch over the root zone helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale insects. Check leaf undersides regularly and treat early with a suitable spray or horticultural oil to prevent populations from building up.
Disease Management: Maintain free-draining soil and good airflow around the plant to reduce disease risk. Phytophthora root rot can occur in wet or heavy ground, so sharp drainage is the main defence. In humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew and clear fallen leaves regularly. Leaf gall may appear as pale swollen patches on new growth; pick off affected leaves and bin them. Clear spent flowers to reduce the risk of petal blight.
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.
