Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'
IntermediateRhododendron indicum 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'
A satsuki with large purple flowers whose centres fade to white. Said to come from 'Zetsurin' × 'Adesugata' in the early Showa era, it has fairly large leaves and is usually grown as a larger tree to show off the flowers.
About
Shinnyo-no-tsuki is a satsuki azalea cultivar that the Japan Satsuki Association says was bred from 'Zetsurin' × 'Adesugata' in the early Showa era. Its flowers are in the purple group with a white centre, the inner part of each petal fading to white. They are large with slightly wavy petals and open early. The leaves are rather large and some plants show yellow variegation. Because it is grown mainly for its flowers, it is usually trained as a fairly large tree rather than kept small—a clear contrast with small-leaved, fine-branched shohin cultivars such as Kozan, Nikko or Kinsai. Large purple flowers with white centres plus rather large leaves identify it. A small-leaved form with the same flowers is treated as a separate name, 'Sumizome', so check leaf size against the label. Its parent 'Zetsurin' belongs to the same line. It is sold by specialist satsuki growers as young plants and bonsai material, but is not mass-marketed like the Kozan line.
Size of the Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'
The Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' grows to Satsuki is an evergreen shrub of about 0.5–1 m; this large-flowered, larger-leaved cultivar is usually made into a fairly large bonsai.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan ('Zetsurin' × 'Adesugata', early Showa era)
Lifespan
Little data for the cultivar
Size
Satsuki is an evergreen shrub of about 0.5–1 m; this large-flowered, larger-leaved cultivar is usually made into a fairly large bonsai
Temperature
-5〜35℃
Watering & Fertilizer
Fertilizer (April, June after flowering, Sept–Oct)
Growing Tips
Light & placement
Likes light, but summer sun scorches leaves and roots. Give young plants full sun; keep finished trees in part shade, always with good airflow
Watering
Likes water but its fine roots rot if waterlogged: 1–2 times daily in spring, 2–3 in summer, every 2–3 days in winter. Avoid watering in the midday heat
Temperature & overwintering
Reasonably hardy but dislikes cold winter wind; keep the pot from freezing under eaves or similar
Soil & repotting
Coarse, acidic kanuma-based mix. Repot right after flowering (June) or in autumn (late Sep–early Oct)
Fertilizer
Solid fertilizer about April as new leaves harden, after flowering in June, and monthly in Sep–Oct. Underfeeding causes dieback
Pruning & styling
Flower buds form in July to mid-August, so finish pinching and pruning in June (early July west of Kanto). With large flowers and leaves, train a fairly large tree rather than keeping it small
Pests & cautions
Especially pest-prone: lace bugs, spider mites, aphids and thrips are common, so regular control is needed in the growing season
Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' FAQ
QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'?
Intermediate. A variety suitable for intermediate growers. Requires some cultivation experience and knowledge of environment management. Pay careful attention to temperature and humidity control.
QHow large does Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' get?
The mature size of Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' is Satsuki is an evergreen shrub of about 0.5–1 m; this large-flowered, larger-leaved cultivar is usually made into a fairly large bonsai. This may vary slightly depending on cultivation environment and individual differences.
QHow should I water and fertilize Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'?
Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki': watering & fertilizer — Fertilizer (April, June after flowering, Sept–Oct). Aim for appropriate frequency and amount.
QWhat is the typical price for Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki'?
The price of Satsuki azalea 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' varies significantly by variety, characteristics, size, and lineage. Please check GrowerDirect's price guide for the latest market information.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: GrowerDirect Editorial Team
The classifications, regulations, and growing data on this page are created and verified based on the primary information database below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not listed by CITES and not regulated for domestic sale. Not a registered variety under the Plant Variety Protection Act (no entry for 'Shinnyo-no-tsuki' in the MAFF database, checked Sept 2026).
Sources: Species+ (CITES listing search) / MAFF Plant Variety Registration Database
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Related Species
Find listings for this species
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