For beginners growing flowers, choose this one: beautiful, easy to care for, and with a long blooming period, a single flower can stay open for 30 days

Azalea, also known as yingshanhong or shanshiliu, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub and a neutral flower, preferring a warm, semi-shaded, cool, ventilated and humid environment. Potted azaleas can be placed in front of the door, in the courtyard, in the living room or in the office, which not only beautifies the environment but also delights people's mood. Azaleas generally bloom in spring, with 2-6 flowers per cluster, funnel-shaped corollas, in colours such as red, light red, apricot red, snow blue and white, with lush and gorgeous flower colours.

After many years of cultivation by people, a large number of cultivated varieties of azalea have appeared, with more flower colours and a variety of flower shapes, including single-petalled and double-petalled varieties. There are more than 900 species in the genus Rhododendron worldwide. In summer, care should include sun protection and shading, avoiding harsh sun exposure; it is suitable for growing under scattered light of low intensity. If the light is too strong, young leaves are easily scorched, the edges of new and old leaves burn, and in severe cases the plant may die.

Since azaleas are shade-loving plants, direct sunlight is not good for their growth, so it is best to plant them in a place shaded by tree shadows.

Azaleas relatively prefer well-drained acidic soil, loose, fertile and rich in humus, with acidic sandy loam being ideal, and they should not be waterlogged. Azaleas are more delicate than other flowers and prefer acidic soil and water. Ordinary tap water tends to be alkaline or hard, and direct watering can cause poor growth or even yellowing, so soft water should be used with appropriate acid adjustment. The simplest method is to boil tap water, let it cool, and then use it to water the azaleas.

Azaleas like shade and moisture and should not be too dry. During the flowering period they need even more water. In winter, azaleas have entered dormancy and do not need much water, generally watered once every 4-5 days, preferably around midday on a clear, warm day. Azaleas also like environments with high air humidity, so you can spray the azalea leaves or mist the surrounding air to keep the surrounding air moist.

Although azaleas like fertiliser, they should not be given strong fertiliser. Generally, after early spring begins, some organic fertiliser can be applied as a base fertiliser. After azaleas bloom in April-May, since the plants consume a large amount of nutrients during the flowering period, as leaf buds sprout and new shoots grow, a top dressing can be applied about every 15 days. After the dog days begin, most shoots have stopped growing; this is the high-temperature season, physiological activity weakens, and top dressing can be stopped.

Reasons azaleas do not bloom: generally direct light is too strong, damage from severe cold, too much watering, fertiliser too concentrated, being kept indoors for too long, being placed in a place with poor air circulation or a dark, damp place, exposure to acid rain, etc. So during care these situations must be avoided, be sure to pay attention!

Note: the placement of potted azaleas requires care; generally they should be placed on a southeast-facing balcony, and it must be ventilated, with as little moving as possible. If there is no ventilation, they are prone to black spot disease and large numbers of fallen leaves.