What is a Satsuki azalea?

Satsuki azaleas are a family of hybrid evergreen azaleas that have been grown in Japan for more than 500 years. Most Satsuki azaleas are late blooming with small single flowers in a variety of shapes and colors.

Satsuki azaleas are compact twiggy slow-growing plants that reach 5 to 6 feet in height in about 10 years. The plants are usually rounded in shape and prefer partial sun. Color patterns of Satsuki azaleas include solids, stripes, flakes, lines, sectors and margins of color on lighter backgrounds. Different patterns can appear on the same plant, and these patterns have been highly prized and documented by the Japanese for centuries.