Azalea

Azaleas are angiosperms that belong to the genus //Rhododendron//. The term azalea refers to a wide variety of cultivars that belong to the subgenus //Pentanthera// and //Tsutsuji//. Azaleas have been hybridized for hundreds of years and over 10,000 cultivated varieties have been registered or named. Azaleas grow best in soil with minimal moisture as they are damaged by excessive soil moisture. Azaleas grow best in acidic soil, from 4.5 to 6.0 pH. Azaleas bloom in spring and their flowers die after a few weeks. They can grow in shaded areas as they do not need much sun for growth. Azaleas are dicotyledons that have five petals, sepals, and stamens.


 * __Newsletter:__**

**The Festival of color** Spring time has sprung and it’s time for the colorful hues of pink, yellow, red, and orange azaleas to fill the landscape. Even though throughout the summer and in the fall they decorate the garden with beautiful dark green leaves, in the spring they’re mainly for show. Here in Houston it’s time for the Azalea tour where we pass by these captivating flowers in residential areas. The pink Nova Zembla being one of the most enamored by all is the most common. These angiosperms are so vibrant due to their terminal blooms, which enable them to contain so many flowers per shrub. This abundance makes them widely popular. But, sometimes if not taken care of they will not grow. These flowers are specific to their type of climate. Their roots prefer acidity to alkalinity. So, if you hope to enhance your garden make sure the Azaleas will be happy in their new home. Then, maybe you could be involved in the yearly Azalea festival.



My Azalea By Adam Smith As I lay in my cot, I stare at my wonderful dicot, Five petals, That will settle, On the compound eye of a bee, Who will sprinkle its pollen on mee, The Azalea’s sticky stigma, Will make me a mama, Once the grain grows a tube down the style of the carpel, Which the Ovules containing the egg cannot repel, Double Fertilization occurs to make a 3n cell, Upon hearing this I fell, But yes this is the Adaptation of all Angiosperms. Unearth my roots, And you will find a dicotous taproot, Used to absorb nutrients and supply anchorage, Specialized ones allow for food storage, These are known as bulbs or potatoes, But I like most average Joe’s, Do not have these.