Azalea Temperance
Azalea Temperance is a compact evergreen azalea grown for its light lavender mauve double blooms. The layered flowers open in spring and give the plant a full, rounded look that holds well over the season. This is a reliable azalea with a tidy, upright habit, reaching around 1 to 1.5m high and wide at maturity.
This azalea suits a cottage garden, a Japanese-style planting, or a mixed shrub border. Plant several together for a massed display of soft lavender colour, or use a single plant to add contrast among deeper pinks and purples. The cool mauve tone pairs well with white or pale pink azaleas, and works equally well in a pot on a sheltered deck or patio.
Grow Temperance in part shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. It needs free-draining, acidic soil enriched with compost and organic matter. Mulch well to keep the shallow roots cool and retain moisture. Avoid exposed, hot, or dry positions.
Water regularly through the first summer and during any dry spell thereafter. 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, so take care in pet households.
Trimming: Trim lightly straight after flowering in late spring to maintain a compact, tidy shape. 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, but leaving them does no harm to its health or next season's flowering.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A light second feed after flowering supports the flush of 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 dry spells. A layer of mulch over the root zone retains moisture and keeps the roots cool.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale insects. Check the undersides of leaves regularly and treat early with a suitable spray or horticultural oil to prevent build-up.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil, good airflow, and clearing fallen leaves and spent flowers prevent most problems. Wet or heavy soil invites Phytophthora root rot. In warm, humid conditions, watch for petal blight and powdery mildew, and improve air circulation where possible.
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