{"product_id":"azalea-indica-alba-magnifica-balls","title":"Alba Magnifica Azalea (Ball) - Rhododendron ‘Alba Magnifica’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAlba Magnifica Azalea (Ball) - Rhododendron ‘Alba Magnifica’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied as a clipped ball, this is a vigorous white flowering Indica azalea that has been trained and sheared over several seasons into a dense sphere rather than allowed to grow as a loose shrub. In spring the entire surface of the ball disappears under large single white flowers, which is a very different effect from an open habit plant where the bloom is scattered. \u003cem\u003eRhododendron\u003c\/em\u003e of the Indica group are shallow rooted, acid loving and shade tolerant, and the ball form only works if those needs are met.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy the Clipped Ball Form\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrained sphere\u003c\/strong\u003e: Years of shearing have built a dense, evenly clothed ball that flowers across its entire surface.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePure white bloom\u003c\/strong\u003e: Large single white flowers cover the plant in spring and read strongly in shaded positions.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStructure in shade\u003c\/strong\u003e: It supplies clipped formality in the part shaded areas where box and other topiary subjects struggle.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDense small leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fine evergreen foliage takes shearing cleanly and holds the geometric shape between cuts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePredictable footprint\u003c\/strong\u003e: Maintained as a ball it stays at a fixed diameter rather than expanding into neighbouring plants.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity warning\u003c\/strong\u003e: All parts are toxic to people, dogs, cats and horses if eaten.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormal repeated row\u003c\/strong\u003e: Set at even spacing along a shaded path the matched spheres create instant order.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot and planter feature\u003c\/strong\u003e: A single ball in a glazed pot flanking a doorway is a classic and low maintenance arrangement.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstorey punctuation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Placed among looser woodland planting the clipped form provides the contrast the bed needs.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCourtyard formality\u003c\/strong\u003e: In a shaded courtyard it delivers structure that would otherwise require an evergreen hedge.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.2 to 1.5m centres for a row of balls, leaving a visible gap between spheres\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2m as a standalone accent\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn and early spring. Avoid planting through summer heat\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic, pH 5 to 6, humus rich and free draining. Amend clay heavily with composted pine bark or plant into a raised bed\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water two to three times a week through the first summer, because azalea roots sit in the top 200mm of soil and dry out fast. Maintain a permanent 75mm mulch of pine bark or leaf litter, feed with an azalea and camellia fertiliser immediately after flowering, and clip to shape at the same time so next season's buds are not removed.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 to 1.2m as a maintained ball, 2 to 2.5m if released and left unpruned\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 to 1.2m as a maintained ball\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Filtered light or morning sun with afternoon shade\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Garden hybrid of the Southern Indica group, parent species from east Asia\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e White\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"500mm","offer_id":59795371295006,"sku":"ND-0173-500MM","price":1625.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/oqGv50ayx_ecUOt5cjUyc_5ixGqgeY.jpg?v=1787314386","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/azalea-indica-alba-magnifica-balls","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}