What are the common varieties of azalea? Characteristics and prices explained
Azalea is one of the top ten famous flowers of our country; it is not only brightly beautiful in appearance but also rich in inner value, and eating it has many benefits for human health. In addition, when azaleas bloom, the fragrance is pleasant and the colors are gorgeous, making them a rare ornamental flower as well. At present, there are as many as 900 or more azalea varieties in the world, and our country accounts for more than half of the total. Below, let us learn together about the characteristics and prices of common azalea varieties.
1. Spring azalea
Variety characteristics: Spring azalea is one of the well-known azalea flower varieties, and its flower colors are very beautiful and rich. The leaves of the spring azalea are papery in texture and ovate-elliptic in shape. Its flowers are borne in clusters of two to six at the tips of the branches. When the spring azalea blooms in spring, the whole mountain is brightly colored, like rosy clouds encircling the forest, and people praise it as the "Western beauty among flowers."
Variety prices: In Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, spring azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 1.5 yuan/plant; in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, spring azaleas with a ground diameter of 4-6 cm and a height of 0.5-1 m are priced at 5 yuan/plant; in Jianhe County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, spring azaleas with a ground diameter of 4-6 cm and a height of 0.5-1 m are priced at 12 yuan/plant, etc.
2. Summer azalea
Variety characteristics: The summer azalea grows branches earlier, but among azalea varieties it blooms the latest, usually not blooming until late May to June. The summer azalea has slender branches and leaves, a full and neat crown, very tightly arranged leaves, and very rich colors in both flowers and petals.
Variety prices: In Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, summer azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 0.6 yuan/plant; in Liuyang City, Changsha, Hunan Province, summer azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 0.35 yuan/plant; in Xinjian County, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, summer azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 0.35 yuan/plant, etc.
3. Western azalea
Variety characteristics: Western azalea is what we often call the Western azalea, an azalea introduced from the West. It was mainly bred through hybridization of Satsuki azalea, Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron mucronatum, and other azaleas, and is the most beautiful type among azaleas. Because its plant is low, its branches are dense, and it remains evergreen in all four seasons, it can also be shaped by pruning and tying into bonsai of various styles, appearing simple, elegant, and even more charming.
Variety prices: In Longyan City, Fujian Province, Western azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 8 yuan/plant; in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, Western azaleas with a ground diameter of 2-4 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 20 yuan/plant; in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, Western azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 20 yuan/plant, etc.
4. Alpine azalea
Variety characteristics: The young branches of the alpine azalea are densely covered with rusty-brown scales mixed with fine soft hairs, which gradually fall off later, and the leaf bud scales fall early. With luxuriant branches and leaves, gorgeous and varied forms, strong sprouting ability, tolerance to pruning, and peculiar root trunks, it is an excellent bonsai material.
Variety prices: In Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, alpine azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 3.5 yuan/plant; in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, alpine azaleas with a ground diameter below 2 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 50 yuan/plant; in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing, Chongqing, alpine azaleas with a ground diameter of 2-4 cm and a height below 0.5 m are priced at 300 yuan/plant, etc.
Overall, because of the diversity of its growing environments, the azalea has many varieties, and the characteristics of each variety differ, so their prices on the market also differ. But no matter which kind of azalea, basically when it blooms the flowers can cover the leaves on the front, making the whole plant appear elegant and noble, and quite beautiful.
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