Azalea mollis Nabucco One of the famous Knaphill hybrid azaleas, Azalea mollis Nabucco is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub with a rounded habit. The leaves are deep green, colouring beautifully in autumn. In May and June, beautiful large, deep red, star-shaped flowers with golden anthers are borne on the shrub; the flowers are not scented. Azalea Nabucco (named for the opera) likes cool, moist summers, and looks absolutely beautiful beneath the light canopy of deciduous trees. Dead-head carefully (next year’s buds are just below this year’s flowers) to promote growth instead of seed production. Can be grown in soil-based ericaceous compost in a large container, using rain-water and ericaceous slow-release fertiliser. Site: ShelteredSoil: Fertile, well-drained, moist, acidic soilPosition: Partial shadeSeason of interest: Late spring to early summer, and autumnHardiness: Very hardyHeight: 5’ (1.5m) Spread: 5’ (1.5m) after 10 years