Azalea (Rhododendron) ‘Feuerwerk’ – description and cultivation

Azalea ‘Feuerwerk’ is one of the most striking large‑flowered azaleas, valued for its intense red blooms with subtle orange markings. This hardy garden azalea forms a loose, bushy habit and reaches around 1.5 m in height after about ten years. The dark green, oval leaves turn brown in autumn, adding seasonal colour.

The plant blooms at the end of May, producing large, funnel‑shaped flowers (7–9 cm) gathered in dense, dome‑shaped clusters. Even young plants flower abundantly every year. In summer, new flower buds form on the tips of the current year’s shoots, ensuring reliable flowering the following season.

Azalea ‘Feuerwerk’ prefers acidic soil (pH 4.0–5.5), humus‑rich, well‑drained and moderately moist. Unlike evergreen rhododendrons, it tolerates full sun and is fully frost‑resistant. Mulching with pine bark helps maintain moisture and soil acidity. If powdery mildew appears, treat the plant with an appropriate fungicide.