Azalea Garden

Kew created its first Azalea Garden in 1882, on the site of a former American Garden.

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Azalea Garden

Azalea Garden

Did you know?

  • As early as 1850, there were over 500 different named Ghent hybrids.
  • The first selections of Mollis Hybrids were made by Louis van Houtte of Belgium, working with plants grown from seed collected in Japan in 1861.
  • Plant collector Ernest Wilson introduced 51 azaleas from Japan to America in the early 20th century. After seeing in Kurume the 250 century-old named azaleas from which he made his selection, he wrote: “I gasped with astonishment when I realised that garden-lovers of America and Europe knew virtually nothing of this wealth of beauty.”

History and design

It was transformed to its current layout in 1995. Designed to show the development of deciduous Azalea hybrids, 29 beds in two concentric circles now exhibit specimens produced from the 1820s to the present day. The selected plants are good examples of hardy azaleas that can be used in large and small gardens. The Azalea Garden is best visited in late springtime, when the bushes are ablaze with colour.

The 12 hybrid groups start with the Ghent Hybrids, which were created by a Belgian baker in the 1820s from a series of crosses between azaleas from eastern North America. Next up are the Mollis Hybrids, derived from Rhododendron japonicum and other Asian species. Later specimens include the Knap Hill Hybrids, designed to improve the Ghent Hybrids, and double-flowered Rustica Flore Pleno Hybrids introduced in around 1890.

Kids' mission

Can you find out what secret weapon Belgian baker P. Mortier might have used to help bring on late-flowering species so they could be crossed with early flowering ones?

3 comments on 'Azalea Garden'

says

29/05/2013 12:50:27 PM | Report abuse

It's such a shame the azaleas don't put on a show for longer, such fantastic colours when they do their thing. I live close enough that I come regularly to Kew, and have done for a few years now and I eagerly await the azaleas every spring and hope I can catch them "just right" with my camera.

Robert Hall says

18/05/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

It would be nice to be able to locate the Azalea Garden (and many other 'Attractions') on your downloadable map.

Guillermo Gonzalez says

20/04/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

I love your azaleas.Can you tell me if they are for sale to the public.They make a beautifull garden.

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