Most azalea flowers have a small cup of green leaves (sepals) at the base of the flower tube. This set of leaves is called a calyx. If this is genetically modified, either by nature or breeding, into a complete set of petals, the flower is called Hose-in-Hose. They appear behind the normal 5 petals, peeking out from between. A Single azalea flower will normally have 5 petals and 5 stamens (see posting below). Hose-in-Hose flowers appear to have 10 petals. If the flower is a Semi-double or Double (again, see below), it takes on the aspect of a rose. So, it is possible for a flower to have the extra set of petals from the calyx and be a Single, Semi-double or Double (all depending on modifications of the stamens; again, see below).

In this posting I show 4 pictures, one of which is NOT of a Hose-in-Hose. Don’t worry, it’s labeled. This is not a test!

 

 

 

     When ALL of the stamens have been modified into petals, only the pistil remains as a reminder of the sexual possibilities. The flowers are reminiscent of roses. These types of plants are best reproduced by layering, a topic for another time.

For those of you curious about gardening, I have informative, philosophical and humorous essays, posted once a month on the 20th, each with only one picture, at:

https://thegardenedge.blogspot.com