Azalea 'Girard' Series
Rhododendron x
Rhododendron x
Girard Azaleas showcase profuse single blooms against glossy, semi-evergreen foliage. They are stunning in groups or as a lone specimen in areas with dappled or afternoon shade. With a preference for well-draining sites, they work well on slopes or in containers.
As with all azaleas and rhododendrons, Girard’s Azaleas need acidic soil to thrive. Use ammonium fertilizers regularly to maintain a lower soil pH.
Featured Varieties:
Girard’s Crimson – Rosy red to purple-ish single blooms. 2-4 ft tall by 3-4 ft wide.
Girard’s Fuchsia – Hot reddish-pink single blooms. 2-4 ft tall by 3-4 ft wide.
Girard’s Rose – Soft rosy-pink single blooms. 2-3 ft tall and wide.
Growing Tips:
- Azaleas need shade through Missouri’s hot summers, but they bloom best with at least 4 hours of morning sun.
- Avoid planting in soggy or poorly-draining sites, as Azaleas are prone to overwatering. However, they also don’t like to dry out completely! Mixing compost into the soil at planting time and using a wood mulch will help maintain even soil moisture.
- Azaleas strongly prefer acidic soils. Regular use of a soil acidifier such as Aluminum Sulfate or an azalea-specific fertilizer will help achieve the lower pH, but it will dissipate over time. Growing healthy azaleas requires more care than most shrubs for this reason!
- Azaleas don’t typically require pruning. If needed, they can be trimmed after the spring bloom, but before July.