BIXBY'S IN BLOOM

I love this azalea which is blooming in my garden now.  Not only is it's color unique, but it is so low to the ground it appears to be a groundcover.

This hardy azalea was developed by renown hybridizer Peter J. Mezzitt, he of the PJM fame and one of America's greatest.  It is a cross between the Korean 'poukhanense ' and another variety.






Written by Carolyngail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago All rights reserved

Who Said That Azaleas Won't Grow in Chicago ?

'Karen' in May finery

I know I've posted about this outstanding azalea before but everytime I see her in full dress I want to let everyone know about it.

When customers at the garden center tell me they want an evergreen I suggest that they get a rhododendron or azalea because it gives extra interest with its lovely blooms. " I can't grow them, I have no luck with them, they're difficult to maintain, etc., etc. etc. " are the usual responses.

Since May this year was so cool and rainy I missed seeing the 'Karen ' azalea in full bloom in one of my client's gardens so they sent me the photo above.

'Karen' is an extremely hardy Gable hybrid , developed from R. kaempheri ( Japanese ) and R. poukhanense ( Korean ) and R. maxwelli ( American ). It's height ranges from 2-4 ' to 3-5 ' depending on conditions.

So you Azalea lovers out there that haven't succeeded with other varieties, I urge you to try ' Karen . ' You won't be disappointed.

ANOTHER AWARD WINNING AZALEA

2007 Rhododendron of the Year : 'Bixby'

My small Japanese azalea 'Yuka' finally bit the dust this past winter. I liked it because it bloomed later than other azaleas and the fact that it was only a foot tall and evergreen. So I went in search of a hardier replacement.

The Mezzitts' of suburban Boston are well known hybridizers of Rhododendrons that are outstanding in their hardiness for northern climates. Their best known and most popular Rhodos are the 'PJM' and 'Olga Mezitt ' , or Mr. and Mrs. Rhodo as I call them ( PJM stands for Peter J. Mezitt and Olga is named for his wife ). They developed 'Bixby' from the Poukhanense and another variety to get a very cold hardy compact and floriferous azalea.

I planted my new azalea today and can't wait to see it in full bloom.