Azalea japonica 'PURPURKISSEN' Japanese azalea

Purpurkissen is an evergreen Japanese azalea bred by Hans Hachmann and introduced in 1993. It is a compact to dwarf shrub which despite its congested habit and small foliage makes impressively large flowers. They are 5-5.5 cm across, open wide, magenta purple and open late in the season: in early June. Blooming lasts 2-3 weeks and at its peak the flowers completely smother the plant that you cannot see a single leaf.

Leaves are reliably evergreen, small, broadly elliptic to ovate, glossy, dark green in summer and deep bronze in winter. The plant grows slowly into a low, spreading shrub about 40 cm tall and 60-80 cm wide in 10 years. It copes well with full sun, too. Medals received: Gold at BUGA Dortmund 1991 and Gold at IGA Rostock 2003. The variety name is sometimes erroneously translated as Purple Kisses but we as it is a German name and Kissen in German means pillow, hence Purple Pillow.

Azaleas usually need no pruning but can be clipped to shapes from June to early July immediately after flowering. If so, do not use fertilizers enhancing growth rate. The size of new branches would get out hand and spoil the shape you are going to achieve. If can be placed in full sun if grown in excellent soil with equal moisture throughout the season. They need light, permeable soil that is acid, constantly moist (keep azaleas always mulched) and moderately fertile. Use fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas, or ericaceous plants. The best soil mix is 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of leaf-mould or lime-free compost, and 1/3 of refined soil from the hole where you are going to plant it. Azaleas have shallow roots, so do not plant them too deep. If leaves turn yellow or fall down after winter it is planted in wet or heavy soil. Hardy to about -27 °C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 08-01-2024