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Rhododendron 'Balzac' (K)

A deciduous azalea, usually up to 2m but can grow up to 4m high, with an upright and spreading habit, and slightly glossy green leaves. Produces clusters of 10-15 lightly scented, bright orange-red flowers, with a distinct orange blotch on the top petals, in late spring. An Exbury hybrid, produced in England by Lionel de Rothschild

Synonyms
Azalea 'Balzac'
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Orange Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ericaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side, and funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes

Name status

Accepted

Horticultural Group
Knap Hill and Exbury azaleas are vigorous deciduous shrubs with large, oblong leaves, and usually fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red and white, in mid and late spring

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus rich, acidic soil, in sun or light shade. Choose a site away from frost pockets and sheltered from strong winds. Mulch annually, ideally with leaf mould. See rhododendron cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Minimal pruning required, may be lightly pruned after flowering; see pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, rhododendron and azalea whitefly, rhododendron leafhopper, Pieris lacebug, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, honey fungus, silver leaf and Phytophthora, as well as more specific Rhododendron diseases. This cultivar has some resistance to rust

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