Azalea 'Fireball'

Description: Deciduous Knap Hill Azaleas produce stunning large deep red bell shaped flowers with yellow stamens in bold trusses in Apr-May. Foliage has superb autumn colouring. Upright habit making a good background plant with excellent seasonal colour.

Uses: Ideal in a woodland situation or any shaded area.

Climate/Position: Prefers light shade or sun and 

Height/Spread: 1.2 x 1.2 metres

Soil Requirements: An ericaceous plant requiring well drained, light and acid soil. Mulch annually with leaf mould to help protect roots from drying out.

Pruning: No pruning required but dead flower heads may be removed if in prime position to enhance aesthetic value.

Special Requirements: Shallow planting is essential to Azaleas as shallow rooting.

Additional Interest: Azalea are a variety of Rhododendron that will produce very colourful shrubs in Spring/Summer. Flowers have 5 stamens whereas rhododendron have 10 stamens or more.

The Knap Hill and Exbury azaleas are English hybrids resulting from crosses between R. molle, R. calendulaceum, R. arborescens, and R. occidentale.

Fireball resulted from a cross between 'Ascot Brilliant' x barbatum in Cornwall around 1925.