Belgian Indian Hybrid Azalea 'Chimes' 1 Gallon Pre-Bonsai Tree

Species Name: Rhododendron indicum (Belgian Indian hybrid) 'Chimes'
Common Name: Belgian Indian Hybrid Azalea 'Chimes'
Estimated Age: About 4 - 5 Years
Average Height: About 8 - 9 Inches
Average Trunk Size: About 1/4 - 1/2 Inch
Pot Size: 1 Gallon

Care Difficulty: Not So Easy

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: USDA Zone 8-10 [Click here to check what zone you're in!]
Light Exposure: Half Shade (Preferred) to Mostly Shade (Indirect Sun is Okay During Afternoon)
Type: Evergreen and Flowering (Could Act Like Semi-Evergreen in Colder Climates)
Growth Speed: Slow
Growth Pattern: Upright and Compact
Special Attribute: Dwarf - Naturally stays more on the small size overall
Flower Description: Semi-double, bell shaped flowers with rich red color

The United States is indeed blessed with many native Azaleas, (at least recognized 17 species), but they are all deciduous plants. Not a single one is evergreen though! All of the Evergreen Azaleas come from regions of western Asia: including Japan, China, Korea, Burma, and Thailand. The Evergreen Azaleas are often referred to as Japanese Azaleas, but that is not an accurate characterization! All flower bouquet fans will be quite familiar with these plants as they are the Azaleas that are commonly sold by florists; hence the nickname the 'florist's Azalea'! Because of this, they are probably the most commercially successful members of the genus Rhododendron.

Over the years, there has been confusion about many Evergreen Azaleas and their species of origin. That started way back in the early 1800's with the first ‘Belgian Indian hybrids’, the so-called “florist’s Azaleas”. They were originally known as Belgian Indicas because they were thought to be descendants of the Japanese species, R. indicum. Describing them as "Indicas" is inappropriate since they are actually descendants of the tender Chinese species, R. simsii. That confusion lasted for more than a century. Some descendants of those early Belgian Indian Azaleas became the ‘Southern Indian hybrids’, and those have also been inappropriately described as Indicas. 

It's much less confusing if they are referred to as 'Indian Azalea hybrids'. The prefix 'Belgian' is often added because millions of plants are raised in Belgium every year of which about 85% are exported to other parts of the world. Hence why you will also see them listed as ‘Belgian Indian Azalea hybrids’. Sometimes it's shortened down to just 'Belgian hybrids'. Quite confusing, I know! For the record, plant taxonomists have placed the Evergreen Azaleas in the genus Rhododendron, in a subgenus called Tsutsusi, and beneath that in a section also named Tsutsusi within the plant kingdom hierarchy.

This group contains some of the most attractive and beautiful flowers out of all the evergreen azaleas. Evergreen Azaleas are not "true evergreens". They're usually upright, bushy, deciduous shrubs with mid-green leaves and funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in mid-spring around April and May. Many appear to be evergreen because they are dimorphic; as they grow two sets of leaves each year. Dimorphic evergreen azaleas have spring leaves and summer leaves. The spring leaves unfold at the beginning of the growing season and are dropped in autumn. Summer leaves emerge in early summer and are smaller, thicker, darker, and more leathery than spring leaves. They remain on the plant during the dormant period and drop in the spring, however, summer leaves may persist for several years in warm climates and may drop before spring in cold climates. The latter is called being semi-evergreen or semi-persistent.

Most of them have compact branches and are slow growing. They usually have bright to medium green shiny oval shaped leaves with a soft pointed end. But please note that these plants are not frost-tolerant and absolutely need protection during the colder months of the year! Great to take care of indoors if you like to keep your house warm! 

'Chimes' has a semi-double, bell shaped flowers with rich red color to them. Sometimes the red color can lean a tad bit on the orange side. But as it matures, you'll notice a stronger red with every blooming season. There are many other Azalea hybrids that call 'Chimes' their parent plant because they wanted to pass down its brilliant reddish hues!

In general, they enjoy more acidic soil (such as Kanuma at around pH level 5.5 to 6) with good drainage to let its fine feeder roots breathe. Azaleas don't enjoy being soaked all of the time. An infrequent deep soaking is more effective than superficial sprinkling everyday. Please water them thoroughly from top to bottom to fully saturate the soil to help keep the soil moist but not soggy. They don't enjoy dry soil nor lime. It becomes especially important in hard-water areas to water them with rainwater or filtered water only to avoid lime deposits building up in the soil.

As needed, a fungicidal spray in the spring time as the buds show color will control “petal blight”, a fungal disease that appears as discolored dots on the petals and quickly discolors and collapses the blossoms. To avoid cutting off next year’s flower buds, do major pruning of Azaleas soon after they bloom. Shortening or removal of long slender stems with no side shoots and cutting out dead wood may be done at any time.

Depending on the individual tree, the Azaleas may have either a single trunk or multi trunk look to them. It's a 1 gallon tree size.

Caution Before Purchasing Any Pre-Bonsai and/or Bonsai Trees:
Please understand that the actual tree that you receive may be different than the example images provided. This is due to a wide range of factors such as: time of year, seasonal variations, differences in trimming & styling on individuals, natural changes during growth over time, etc. Our staff members ARE NOT ABLE to always provide recent photos of any bonsai & pre-bonsai trees for you to pick from due to our limited staff size; even when a written and/or phone request is submitted. House of Bonsai is a high production-oriented bonsai specialty nursery so we don't have the means to constantly pull ourselves away from production to take more photos of our ever-changing pre-bonsai & bonsai trees. This policy ensures that we're able to maintain a huge selection of different species, shapes, and sizes at reasonable prices for the public.