Azalea ID please?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Could anyone tell me the name of this unmarked Azalea I bought from a grocery store?

I was looking around and think it might be "Rhododendron Perfecto Mundo® Double Pink Azalea"??

I was worried that it might not be hardy to my zone 6b and was concerned it had so many blooms in October, but this link https://tinyurl.com/yxlhdwd8 says it blooms until frost?

I want to plant it outside now for next year, photos below, it's still in the plastic pot.

Any input? Please share!

Featured Answer

luis_pr

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

The bloom looks different to me but, it is always difficult to tell what variety one purchases when buying from a grocery or florist as those varieties tend to include varieties not typically sold at plant nurseries. Sometimes those plants have cryptic wholesaler variety names (meaning letters and numbers).

The plants from plant nurseries tend to have less disease issues and more hardiness. The ones from grocery stores can -sometimes- be planted outside and kept for years but like you suspect, they may not be as winter hardy in which case they would not last through cold winters and you have to pot them and bring them inside during your winters. The wholesalers probably want you to treat them as annuals but, in my milder climate, I have been able to keep and grow a few florist plants. They always have been more sensitive to cold though.

Have you tried contacting someone in the store's florist department to see if they can trace where it came from and the variety name?

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Comments (8)

Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
3 years ago
Hey! anybody out there? Any guesses?
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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
3 years ago
First off, it looks like a florists azalea, right?
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years ago
I agree - a florist's azalea. It would be rare to find landscape quality plants in bloom in late fall regardless of their marketing hype. And even more unusual finding one for sale at a grocery store! In most cases these are not nearly as hardy or cold tolerant as garden azaleas and rarely transition well into the garden, even at a more appropriate planting time. They are even a risky proposition in my very mild winter climate and the PNW is rhody and azalea central!!

IMO, the chances of this tender plant surviving planting now and lasting through winter in zone 6 is slim to none. Sorry.

As to a specific ID, florist azaleas are not always named cultivars since they are rarely ever grown for the landscape trade. In much the same way as florist hydrangeas are often just random, no-name cuttings or seed grown plants. They are intended primarily as temporary flowering houseplants, not permanent additions to the landscape.
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
3 years ago
So glad to get information on this Azalea! Thanks! I thought no one was going to answer this post and I had just given up.

I never-ever heard of the term "florists azalea", but am always suspicious of plants sold in the grocery store that have no tags for the growing zone or identifying name....but it was so beautiful with those pale pink multi-petaled flowers, that I wanted to give it try on a drab autumn day.

So I found this link https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/growing-azalea-houseplants.htm

and guess my little azalea is as you all described- not hardy.

Ugh I sure don't need anymore houseplant, but probably should pot it up and bring it inside.

Thanks for everyone's input.
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
3 years ago
ps...what is your growing zone luis_pr ?
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
3 years ago
Update...since you all sent me down the correct "google path" on this being an indoor/florisits azalea...I think I found the actual name of it- "Rhododendron simsii" aka "Indian Azalea".

Just thought I would include the name info, as I know I read many very old Houzz garden forum posts and use the information..so just for the record I'm list the name for anyone else wondering about these florist azaleas.
luis_pr
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I am in z7b/8a In Hurst, Texas but Houzz made some changes and that info no longer displays. They suggested changing the user id to add this info. Sorry.
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked luis_pr