Varieties of Satsuki Azaleas

Satsuki azaleas are a variety of azalea that originated in Japan. They are likely the result of a hybridization between the eriocarpum and indicum azalea species. Like all azaleas, Satsuki azaleas are botanically rhododendrons but -- in comparison to true rhododendrons -- are smaller and produce flowers with five stamens instead of 10. Satsuki azaleas are available in many different cultivars or sub-species, which offer a diverse array of flower colors.

White Satsuki azalea flowers can help give gardens a clean, pure appearance. Examples of white-flowered Satsuki azalea cultivars include Chitose Nishki, Eishi and Gumpo White. Chitose Nishki flowers blossom in early May with pure white petals, while Eishi flowers blossom in May with flowers that have occasional purple flecks. Gumpo White Satsuki azaleas have particularly round, shiny leaves and flower in mid-May with large, white ruffled blooms.

Unlike white Satsuki azalea varieties, light pink varieties can be useful for adding a touch of warmth the garden. Satsuki azalea cultivars with light pink flowers include Fuji Mori, Chichibu and Gumpo Pink. Fuji Mori Satsukis flower in late May, producing blossoms with long, pointed soft pink petals, while Chichibu Satsukis flower in late May to June, producing pale pink flowers with splotches of darker pink. Like their Gumpo White counterparts, Gumpo Pink Satsuki azaleas have rounded shiny leaves and large ruffled flowers. However, Gumpo Pink flowers are light pink and emerge in mid-May to June.

Darker pink varieties of Satsuki azaleas can make an even bolder statement than their lighter pink counterparts. Examples include the Angel Wing Satsuki, which produces medium-pink flowers in late May and the Chinzan Satsuki, which produces deep pink flowers -- with some darker blotches -- in early May. The Chinsei is another May-blooming, pink Satsuki azalea, which produces dark pink flowers that have red blotches.

Red Satsuki azaleas can help set gardens visually ablaze. Examples include the Chojuho and the Kikoshi Korin, both of which bloom in mid-May. While the Chojuho azalea produces small, long-lasting flowers that gradually fade from brilliant red to green, the Kikoshi Korin azalea produces trumpet-shaped, carmine or crimson-red flowers that have darker red centers.

Bold, reddish-orange varieties of Satsuki azaleas offer a slightly different feel than their traditional red counterparts. Examples include the mid-April blooming Citigo Sugata, which has orange-red flowers with white centers; and the late-May-blooming Beni Botan, which has rounded leaves and double orange-red flowers with occasional darker spots. Double flowers, likes roses, have multiple layers of petals, providing a denser appearance.