Azalea Blue Danube

Azalea ‘Blue Danube’

Why Buy Me?

• Bright blue/purple flowers
• Evergreen
• Compact, low growing
• Grows well in pots

Overview

• Botanical name: Rhododendron ‘Blue Danube’

• Plant type: Evergreen azalea

• Group: Kurume hybrid

• Use: Ornamental evergreen shrub for borders, containers, and woodland gardens

Flowers

• Colour: Violet-blue to purplish blue with darker markings

• Bloom time: Mid to late spring

• Form: Funnel-shaped flowers borne in dense clusters

• Fragrance: Not scented

Foliage and Habit

• Leaves: Small, glossy, dark green evergreen leaves

• Growth habit: Compact, low, spreading to rounded

• Mature size: Approximately 0.6–1 m tall and 1–1.2 m wide (2–3 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide)

Growing Conditions

• Light: Part shade to full sun

  • Best flowering occurs with some sun, but protection from strong afternoon sun is beneficial

• Soil: Acidic, moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

• Water: Regular watering required; soil should remain evenly moist but not waterlogged

Care and Maintenance

• Mulching: Mulch with bark, pine needles, or leaf mould to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity

• Feeding: Apply an ericaceous fertiliser in spring and again after flowering if needed

• Pruning: Very little required; trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape

• Hardiness: Hardy in most temperate climates, roughly USDA Zones 6–8

Seasonal Interest

• Spring: Abundant blue-violet flowers

• Summer: Dense, dark green foliage

• Autumn and Winter: Evergreen structure provides year-round interest

Wildlife and Safety

• Attractive to bees and other pollinators

• Toxic if ingested by pets or livestock

Notes

• Particularly well suited to low hedging, front-of-border planting, and containers

• Performs poorly in alkaline or chalky soils unless grown in ericaceous compost or amended beds

• Wind protection is beneficial in colder or exposed locations