Flower structure doesn't look right for an Azalea. It looks to me like a Camellia. There are many named species and cultivars.
Do you have a pic of the whole plant, or a close-up of the leaves? I'm definitley not an expert on these, so I hope some one can help you. To me, it doesn't look like an Azalea.
I would also say that it is a Camelia japonica. Don't know the variety, but the leaves are definitely Camellia leaves, as are the buds. Definitely not an azalea.
The leaves look correct for Camellia. Good pic here... http://images.google.com/imgres?img...-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&tbs=isch:1
Imperfect, Not so sure, do the leaves on your plant have a smooth margin or similar to those shown in Silver's photo link ? Have seen some of the tender florist azaleas which do bear a flower resemblance.
There are two things that make this plant look like a camellia to me: 1. The leaves appear to be thicker and more uniform in colour to those of a rhododendron or azalea. Azalea leaves seem more veiny. 2. The flower does not look like any azalea or rhododendron that I have ever seen, which are all rather trumpet shaped. This flower looks more rose-like - characteristic of the camellia japonica. Finally, it appears, but is not really very clear from the picture, that the buds are not on the stem ends (terminal buds), but on the stems...and they sure look like camellia buds to me. All that said, it would be nice to see a clearer picture of the plant....
Yes, Not certain if the leaves are alternate or opposite, nor really very familiar with many of the camellias here, but there are quite a few double rhododendrons {or azaleas} around. A couple here www.pbase.com/image/36855146 and www.pbase.com/image/35987841
Florist azalea, of a type often offered in floral departments and flower shops here. Terminal bud and "whorled" leaves very typical of Rhododendron visible immediately to the right of the opening flower.
I have never seen one of these! But, as usual, Ron, I think you are correct...I googled florist azalea and came up with a plant called a Rozalea - it looks very similar to the pictured plant (though, to me, the leaves still seem more veiny...but that can be the photo, not the plant). Have a look here: http://www.glplants.com/index.php?p...category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53
Thank you for the help everyone but here's another picture of one of the flowers bloomed http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4403216596_3208cf9fc6.jpg To me : the stamen doesn't look like camellia's but I am not close to an expert
Seeing the open flower, it does look like an azalea...trumpet shaped. And the leaves look more veiny too.
Agree a semi-double flowered azalea, possibly a Satzuki type hybrid. The species Rhododendron indicum is a parent much used for these evergreen azaleas, now included in the Rhododendron genus. Don't know which named one though, there are thousands, and hybridized for hundreds of years. Not familiar with your climate, but regarding care this may help www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h144azalea.html
The extra pic proves beyond all doubt that Chimera and Ron were correct. It is definitely an Azalea! Sorry I got it wrong.
