THE HARDY GHENTS AZALEAS

Species from which the Hardy Ghents originated
From which species did the Hardy Ghents azaleas originate?

Let us first say that the use of the name Azalea has been disallowed by the botanical world and indeed, azaleas are reunited within the genus Rhododendron as no significant differences justified maintaining them in a separate genus. In horticulture, nevertheless, the distinction is still made for practical reasons. The genus Rhododendron has been separated in two different Sections; the deciduous which are discussed in this book belong to the Section "Pentanthera".

The azaleas which were used for the development of the Hardy Ghents are: Rhododendron luteum, R. Calendulaceum; R. periclymenoides, R. prinophyllum, R. viscosum, R. canescens, R. flammeum, R. occidentale, R. molle

The story of the development of the Hardy Ghents started about two hundred years ago. In those days, azaleas were all but unknown in Europe. But in the early days of the 19th century, there was a spectacular change and what had begun as an object of curiosity, soon developed into a world-famed speciality of the city of Ghent.

If you want more specific information about this subject in the book,
please mail Albert De Raedt.