Flowers Special, No. 1

Azaleas are flowering shrubs of the Rhododendron genus, especially the older varieties Tsutsuji (evergreen) and Pentanthera (deciduous). They bloom in spring, and their flowers often last for several weeks. They tolerate shade and prefer to grow near or under trees.

They are most often grown outdoors in summer. Before the first frost, the pots should be placed in heated greenhouses. There they are kept cool, frost-free. Depending on the variety, they are then placed in warmer greenhouses for "forcing" at different times.

They are grown in special nurseries until they sprout. Forcing often occurs in smaller or more diverse horticultural businesses. Azaleas require as cool a room as possible: the cooler they are, the longer they bloom.

Azaleas are native to several continents, including Asia, Europe, and North America. They are used as ornamental plants in the southeastern United States, southern Asia, and parts of southwestern Europe.

In addition to being renowned for its beauty, the azalea is highly toxic, containing andromedotoxins in its leaves and nectar, including the honey contained within it. In certain regions of Turkey, bees are deliberately fed azalea / Rhododendron nectar, a mind-altering, potentially medicinal, and occasionally lethal honey known as "honey of madness."

The 1949 Mexican song "Flor de Azalea," composed by Manuel Esperón González and Zacarías Gómez Urquiza, was initially a hit sung by Jorge Negrete. According to legend, the song's inspiration was actress Elsa Aguirre.