Satsuki Azalea No. 3

Rhododendron indicum ‘Kinsai’

Height: 34" H Width: 36" 

The legacy of a great Satsuki Azalea begins the moment it's lifted from the field. How its roots are cleaned and cut, how the structure is reduced to establish form—every decision made in that initial window sets the trajectory for its entire life. When done well, it lays the foundation for something extraordinary.

This particular tree is a rare and exceptional expression of Kinsai, a coveted Satsuki cultivar known for its vivid color and distinctive spider-like bloom. But the Kinsai flower is a recessive trait. Without careful pruning and thoughtful propagation, it quietly disappears, reverting to a more common form. That fragility makes true Kinsai all the more precious.

Grown in Japan and imported to the U.S. as part of the Kennett Collection, this Azalea was cared for by skilled hands, Peter Warren, Minoru Akiyama, and eventually passed to a close friend of Mirai. Through every phase of its journey, it’s been handled with precision and reverence. And that, more than anything, is why it still holds the purity of its lineage.

This tree isn’t just a Satsuki—it’s a living record of expertise, continuity, and care.

Read more about this tree on our blog here.