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japanese azalea

Japanese azalea is a stunning and versatile shrub prized by gardeners across New Zealand for its brilliant spring flowers and year-round interest. With its compact growth habit, glossy evergreen foliage, and vibrant blooms ranging from white through pink and red to deep purples, the Japanese azalea (Azalea japonica) is perfect for brightening shaded corners, mass planting, or growing in pots on patios. These hardy shrubs are a favourite for both established landscapes and new gardens, offering reliable performance from Northland to Invercargill. Discover tips for growing, planting, and caring for Japanese azalea, plus explore some of the most popular varieties available for New Zealand gardens.

Azalea 'Asawa' plant in spring for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Azalea 'Asawa'

Azalea 'Asawa' is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its masses of vibrant flowers and compact growth habit. This attractive shrub produces an impressive floral display during spring, bringing bold seasonal colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens.

From $26.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme' stunning white flower with lush, dark green foliage.

Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme'

5 from 2 customers

Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme' is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its large elegant blooms and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering generously through spring, this attractive shrub adds refined seasonal colour and year round structure to gardens throughout New Zealand.

From $18.85

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, White
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Azalea 'Paradise Elfin'

Azalea 'Paradise Elfin' is a compact evergreen azalea prized for its masses of colourful blooms and tidy rounded growth habit. Flowering generously...

From$26.95
Azalea 'Brides Bouquet' stunning white flowers in a cottage garden.
Azalea 'Brides Bouquet'

Azalea 'Brides Bouquet' is a beautiful evergreen azalea admired for its masses of elegant white flowers and lush green foliage. This graceful shrub...

From$18.85
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Azalea 'Silver Anniversary'

Azalea 'Silver Anniversary' is an elegant evergreen azalea prized for its beautiful white flowers that are often lightly flushed with pink during...

From$18.85
A stunning, pink Azalea 'Garden Party' flower.
Azalea 'Garden Party'

Azalea 'Garden Party' is a charming evergreen azalea that produces masses of soft pink flowers during spring. The delicate blooms sit above glossy...

From$18.85
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Azalea 'Kosmos'

Azalea 'Kosmos' is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its vibrant pink flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The colourful blooms sit...

From$18.85
Azalea Lucy plant with bright pink flowers.
Azalea 'Lucy'

Azalea 'Lucy' is a beautiful evergreen azalea admired for its masses of colourful blooms and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering generously...

From$18.85
Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

From$299.95
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Azalea indica

Azalea indica is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its masses of vibrant blooms and compact growth habit. Flowering generously through spring...

From$99.95
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki tree with lush green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Hanami Nishiki'

Acer palmatum 'Hanami Nishiki' is a beautiful Japanese Maple admired for its delicately variegated foliage that emerges with soft pink, cream, and...

From$399.95
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Acer palmatum 'Senkaki'

Acer palmatum 'Senkaki', commonly known as the Coral Bark Japanese Maple, is a beautiful deciduous tree prized for its brilliant coral red branches...

From$299.95
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' tree with fine green foliage tinged with purple.
Acer 'Crimson Princess'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its deeply cut, cascading burgundy foliage that intensifies through the...

From$299.95
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' specimen tree with purple-red cascading foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a highly admired weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected burgundy foliage that retains rich colour...

From$299.95
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Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama' is one of the most admired Japanese Maples, prized for its finely dissected deep red foliage and graceful...

From$299.95
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Acer palmatum 'Fjellheim'

Acer palmatum 'Fjellheim' is a compact Japanese Maple prized for its dense upright habit, fresh green foliage, and brilliant coral red stems that...

From$399.95
pachysandra-terminalis-5
Pachysandra terminalis

Pachysandra terminalis, commonly known as Japanese Spurge, is a hardy evergreen groundcover valued for its glossy dark green foliage and dense...

From$23.39
Cryptomeria japonica monstrosa nana shrub with fine, brown foliage in winter.
Cryptomeria japonica Monstrosa Nana

Cryptomeria japonica 'Monstrosa Nana' is a unique dwarf Japanese Cedar prized for its dense sculptural foliage and naturally compact rounded form...

From$27.53
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Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$24.77
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
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Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake'

Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake' is a striking Japanese Maple admired for its narrow strap like deep red foliage that creates a bold architectural effect...

From$349.95
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Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a highly regarded Japanese maple famous for producing some of the most intense scarlet red autumn colour of any maple...

From$349.95
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' specimen tree with colourful dark red foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Bloodgood Japanese Maple) is one of the most reliable and popular Japanese maples, valued for its deep red foliage and...

From$249.95
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' tree in a garden.
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' is a standout Japanese maple admired for its glowing apricot and orange toned foliage that brings warmth and vibrancy...

From$299.95
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Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis' is a graceful Japanese Maple prized for its finely dissected bright green foliage and elegant cascading form. The...

From$249.95
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Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is a unique Japanese Maple admired for its finely dissected foliage and upright growth habit. Unlike many laceleaf maples...

From$299.95
cryptomeria-japonica-2
Cryptomeria japonica

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar) is a majestic evergreen conifer valued for its tall upright form and soft rich green foliage. It brings...

From$270.40
Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

From$299.95
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Acer palmatum Ukon

Acer palmatum 'Ukon' is a distinctive Japanese Maple admired for its unusual lime green foliage that brings fresh colour to the garden. New leaves...

From$349.95
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Acer 'Orangeola'

Acer 'Orangeola' is a stunning weeping Japanese Maple admired for its finely cut foliage that emerges bright orange red in spring. The leaves mature...

From$349.95
An Acer 'Katsura' specimen tree with orange and green foliage.
Acer 'Katsura'

Acer 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its brilliant apricot orange spring foliage that matures to fresh green before turning vibrant...

From$299.95
Azalea 'Asawa'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, and Azalea, or related Categories - Evergreen Azaleas, and Maple Tree.

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Why Choose Japanese Azalea for Your Garden

When it comes to adding colour and structure to your garden, Japanese azaleas are hard to beat. They are known for their heavy flush of blooms in late winter or early spring, often covering the entire plant in a vibrant display. Their compact size makes them perfect for smaller gardens, edging, or even as feature plants in larger mixed beds. The glossy green leaves remain attractive throughout the year, and their neat shape means they rarely need pruning. Japanese azaleas thrive in dappled shade or morning sun, making them ideal under established trees or along the shady side of your property.

Popular Varieties of Japanese Azalea

Gardeners can enjoy a broad range of flower shapes and colours within the Japanese azalea group. One popular selection is the Azalea japonica 'Vuyk's Scarlet', which boasts deep red flowers and a naturally compact form—ideal for borders or pots. Other standout options include Azalea Amy (Amy Azalea) with its cheerful, bright pink blooms, and the elegant Azalea Asawa (Asawa Azalea), celebrated for its prolific flowering and subtle beauty. Fans of white or pale pink flowers might appreciate Azalea Dr Van Slyieken. For those interested in related species more commonly found in warmer regions, Azalea indica provides a lush look and long-lasting blooms.

Planting and Care for Japanese Azalea

Japanese azaleas perform best in acidic, free-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. When planting, ensure the root ball sits at the same height as the surrounding soil and avoid deep planting. Mulching with pine needles or bark helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first season while plants establish. A slow-release fertiliser designed for acid-loving plants applied in early spring encourages healthy growth and a wealth of flowers.

Pruning isn't usually necessary, but a light trim after flowering can help maintain shape or encourage bushier growth. Always remove faded blooms to support energy for next season's display.

Enhance Your Garden with Japanese Azalea

Japanese azalea brings a magical quality to any garden, lighting up spaces with masses of colour and thriving in semi-shade where many flowering plants struggle. Whether featured as a striking specimen, mass-planted for dramatic effect, or paired with classics like camellias and rhododendrons, Japanese azaleas are a must-have for New Zealand gardeners seeking beauty and reliability. Explore top-performing varieties including Azalea japonica 'Vuyk's Scarlet', Azalea Amy (Amy Azalea), Azalea Asawa (Asawa Azalea), and Azalea Dr Van Slyieken to find the perfect Japanese azalea for your garden.

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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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