Azalea plant named ‘AZ 56’

Abstract

A new cultivar of hybrid Azalea named ‘AZ 56’ that is characterized by its upright, compact, densely branched plant habit, its pink flowers with deep purple flecks on the upper surface of the petals, its two distinct bloom cycles with a strong bloom period early to mid-April followed by a seconding bloom period in early fall in Mississippi, its disease-free, mature foliage that is dark green in color and retained during the winter when it takes on a purple blush, its high tolerance to seasonal temperature fluctuations from 38° C. (100° F.) in the summer to as low as −10° C. (14° F.) in the winter, and its ease of propagation by softwood stem cuttings.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named ‘AZ 56’ as herein illustrated and described.