Azalea 'Weston's Sparkler'
Season-extending Summer Azaleas
Release Date: 06/07/11
R. Wayne Mezitt is a third-generation nurseryman, Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist, and Owner of Weston Nurseries, Inc.
Wayne served as president of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), New England Nursery Association (NENA), and American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) which is based in Washington, DC.
Wayne is the horticultural consultant for GrowingWisdom.com with Dave Epstein.
R. Wayne Mezitt is a third-generation nurseryman, Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist, and Owner of Weston Nurseries, Inc.
Wayne served as president of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), New England Nursery Association (NENA), and American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) which is based in Washington, DC.
Wayne is the horticultural consultant for GrowingWisdom.com with Dave Epstein.
Thanks to all that cool and cloudy spring weather, this year’s spring flowering progression seemed to bunch together – at one point Forsythia and dogwood were blooming at the same time – very unusual! And now, as mid-spring’s explosion of color tapers off, our landscape is settling into its “summer mode”, predominated by foliage colors and textures. Those later flowering trees and shrubs that open their flowers later in the year now become important garden features.
While most azaleas have finished their show of color, along about mid-June here in Hopkinton the so-called Summer Azaleas begin their annual bloom cycle. These unique cultivars were developed by hybridizing azalea species that are native to this region with more exotic, brightly colored azaleas from other parts of the world. These are trouble free deciduous shrubs, usually growing to about 5 ft. high in 10-15 years (they can reach as much as 10+ feet at maturity), and pest resistant. They prefer organic soils in full sun or part shade, are available in a range of colors, showing best flower displays with higher light intensity. Depending upon their heritage, some open their flowers starting in mid-June and others in early to mid July – a perfect time for outdoor living enjoyment.
The Cary Award, a program of the Worcester County Horticultural Society at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, recognizes “foolproof” plants that have multi-season appeal, are well suited for New England and generally underutilized in gardens. More than 40 woody plants are now Cary Award winners (see www.CaryAward.org). This year our nursery is much honored to have one of the azaleas we introduced chosen as a Cary Award winner – Azalea Weston’s Sparkler.
Azalea Weston’s Sparkler is a fragrant, red-budded, ruffled-pink flowering hybrid whose bloom season begins in late June to early July, and lasts for about two weeks, sometimes more. Its leaves are dark green with silvery-blue undersides, a satisfying contrast with the flowers. They are unaffected by leaf diseases and turn a pleasant wine-purple tone in late fall. As winter sets-in, the foliage drops, and all that is visible all winter are bare branches tipped with next year’s flower buds. It is winter-hardy in Zone 4 and has performed well in exposed locations, even in northern areas.
This (as are all the Summer Azaleas) is an ideal shrub for planting at the edge of the woods or around the pool or patio where its color and fragrance can be best appreciated. Mulching with bark or pine needles helps maintain even moisture and discourage weeds. All the Summer Azaleas are best pruned just before they flower – cut back the new growth (not last year’s stems!) about halfway after they have grown 6 or more inches in late June or early July. This exposes the ready-to-open flowers better, still allowing many weeks for new growth to fill-in and set flower buds for next year.
Thanks to all that cool and cloudy spring weather, this year’s spring flowering progression seemed to bunch together – at one point Forsythia and dogwood were blooming at the same time – very unusual! And now, as mid-spring’s explosion of color tapers off, our landscape is settling into its “summer mode”, predominated by foliage colors and textures. Those later flowering trees and shrubs that open their flowers later in the year now become important garden features.
While most azaleas have finished their show of color, along about mid-June here in Hopkinton the so-called Summer Azaleas begin their annual bloom cycle. These unique cultivars were developed by hybridizing azalea species that are native to this region with more exotic, brightly colored azaleas from other parts of the world. These are trouble free deciduous shrubs, usually growing to about 5 ft. high in 10-15 years (they can reach as much as 10+ feet at maturity), and pest resistant. They prefer organic soils in full sun or part shade, are available in a range of colors, showing best flower displays with higher light intensity. Depending upon their heritage, some open their flowers starting in mid-June and others in early to mid July – a perfect time for outdoor living enjoyment.
The Cary Award, a program of the Worcester County Horticultural Society at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, recognizes “foolproof” plants that have multi-season appeal, are well suited for New England and generally underutilized in gardens. More than 40 woody plants are now Cary Award winners (see www.CaryAward.org). This year our nursery is much honored to have one of the azaleas we introduced chosen as a Cary Award winner – Azalea Weston’s Sparkler.
Azalea 'Weston’s Sparkler' is a fragrant, red-budded, ruffled-pink flowering hybrid whose bloom season begins in late June to early July, and lasts for about two weeks, sometimes more. Its leaves are dark green with silvery-blue undersides, a satisfying contrast with the flowers. They are unaffected by leaf diseases and turn a pleasant wine-purple tone in late fall. As winter sets-in, the foliage drops, and all that is visible all winter are bare branches tipped with next year’s flower buds. It is winter-hardy in Zone 4 and has performed well in exposed locations, even in northern areas.
This (as are all the Summer Azaleas) is an ideal shrub for planting at the edge of the woods or around the pool or patio where its color and fragrance can be best appreciated. Mulching with bark or pine needles helps maintain even moisture and discourage weeds. All the Summer Azaleas are best pruned just before they flower – cut back the new growth (not last year’s stems!) about halfway after they have grown 6 or more inches in late June or early July. This exposes the ready-to-open flowers better, still allowing many weeks for new growth to fill-in and set flower buds for next year.
