Rhododendron × pulchrum ("Hiradotsutsuji")

Japanese name: ヒラドツツジ （平戸躑躅）
Scientific name: Rhododendron × pulchrum

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub.
A group of garden cultivars developed from several azaleas, such as Kerama-tsutsuji and Kishi-tsutsuji.
The leaves are simple and alternate, oblong, 4–11 cm long, with hairs on both surfaces.
Funnel-shaped flowers bloom in clusters at the branch tips.
There are many garden cultivars, and both the flowers and leaves are large among the azaleas.

[History]
It originated in the Hirado region of Nagasaki.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers acidic soil that is well drained and retains water well.
Avoid dry sites, or prevent the base of the plant from drying out by mulching or similar means.
Potted plants are best placed in partial shade out of strong afternoon sun and direct summer sunlight, and in autumn to spring in a sunny place sheltered from cold wind; plants in the ground are best in a place shaded by deciduous trees.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries in autumn to spring, and in midsummer water twice, in the cool morning and evening.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient except in summer; in summer, water in the cool morning or evening.
Apply fertilizer three times in total: fertilizer in winter, fertilizer after flowering as thanks to the plant, and in autumn, placing organic fertilizer or slow-release chemical fertilizer with equal amounts of the three components around the plant.
Pruning in summer or later cuts off the next year's flower buds, so prune as soon as possible after flowering.
Remove spent flowers frequently.
Pests and diseases include aphids, scale insects, leaf rollers, spider mites, azalea lace bugs and Benimon-aoringa.

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