{"product_id":"azalea-indica-alphonse-anderson-balls","title":"Alphonse Anderson Azalea (Ball) - Rhododendron ‘Alphonse Anderson’","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\u003eAlphonse Anderson Azalea (Ball) - Rhododendron ‘Alphonse Anderson’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Alphonse Anderson’ is a vigorous Indica azalea whose pale pink flowers are broken by deeper rose stripes and flecks, so a plant in full bloom reads as shot through with colour rather than flat. Grown here as a sheared ball, that flower pattern spreads across a dense spherical surface in spring. Like all \u003cem\u003eRhododendron\u003c\/em\u003e of this group it is shallow rooted and acid loving, which means the ball form depends entirely on getting the soil and moisture right rather than on clipping technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Alphonse Anderson\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriped bloom\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pale pink flowers marked with deeper rose stripes and flecks give the display depth and variation.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVigour\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is one of the stronger growing Indica azaleas, so a clipped ball refurnishes quickly after shearing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade performance\u003c\/strong\u003e: It flowers well in filtered light where sun demanding topiary subjects thin out.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine dense foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small evergreen leaves hold a crisp clipped edge between maintenance cuts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong flowering peak\u003c\/strong\u003e: The spring flush is dense and sustained rather than brief.\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\u003eMatched pairs\u003c\/strong\u003e: Two balls flanking steps or a doorway create symmetry in a position too shaded for clipped bay or box.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaded parterre\u003c\/strong\u003e: Repeated at grid spacing in a formal bed they hold structure through the whole year.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer display\u003c\/strong\u003e: In a large pot with an acidic potting mix it performs well for many years.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland edge accent\u003c\/strong\u003e: The clipped form provides deliberate contrast against loose informal understorey planting.\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 in a repeated row of balls\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2m as an individual accent plant\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn and early spring, avoiding hot dry weather\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic, pH 5 to 6, rich in organic matter and free draining. Raise the planting level in heavy clay\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water two to three times a week through the first summer and never let the shallow root ball dry, since drought stress shows as bud drop the following spring. Keep 75mm of pine bark mulch in place permanently, feed with an azalea and camellia food after flowering, and do all clipping straight after bloom so the coming season's buds are preserved.\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 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 to fast\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 Pale pink with deeper rose stripes and flecks\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"90L","offer_id":59795371229470,"sku":"ND-0175-90L","price":2975.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":59795371262238,"sku":"ND-0175-500MM","price":1625.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/Uwu33Hig5uHXNZ7dixBV1_bq8AiIr6.jpg?v=1787314386","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/azalea-indica-alphonse-anderson-balls","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}