Azalea ID? Worth The Dig?

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Chumono
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I hit up a neighbor to requisition her azalea. Do you know the variety? It is either a natural dwarf or dwarfed from hedge pruning.
It is about 18x18” with about a 4-5” nebari. It has a nice little natural “J” as a low primary. Is this worth my time?
 

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Shibui

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There are thousands of azalea varieties and many look similar so this could be a range of varieties.
Azaleas are always worth digging. They respond so well to hard pruning there is always possible styles in the trunk and main branches. You won't know what you have until you can see the trunk and roots at eye level.
The low branch should have plenty of roots so if it will not match the rest of the trunk for a design it can be separated and grown as 2 trees.
 

Harunobu

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Looks like it has severe chlorosis. But it does have a trunk that looks quite gnarly and has some character. I would repot it in some good new fresh potting mix with something that allows for good drainage. Then see if it recovers.

I can't really tell what variety it is because the flowers are not fully opened and the leaves have this discoloration. But I suspect it would be some Belgian indica/southern indica based on your location.
 

penumbra

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There are thousands of azalea varieties and many look similar so this could be a range of varieties.
Azaleas are always worth digging. They respond so well to hard pruning there is always possible styles in the trunk and main branches. You won't know what you have until you can see the trunk and roots at eye level.
The low branch should have plenty of roots so if it will not match the rest of the trunk for a design it can be separated and grown as 2 trees.
Perfect answer.^^^
 

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Oh it’s dug alright! The “J” had no roots. There was another 3 inches of trunk buried...can see the staining.
 

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Chumono
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Yes chlorotic. The neighbor wasn’t a real care for your yard person....never fed.
 
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