Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Rose’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, and part-shade beds.
Benefits: A cold-hardy Girard evergreen azalea with large, wavy, deep rose-pink flowers in mid-spring. Glossy leaves turn orange to scarlet in winter on an upright, well-branched shrub.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — well branched.
Bloom Color: Deep Rose-Pink
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green, turning Orange to Scarlet in winter
Mature Height: 2–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Mid to late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Big, wavy rose-pink flowers in spring, and leaves that blaze orange and scarlet in winter.
Girard’s Rose is one of the showier Girard evergreen azaleas. In mid to late spring it opens large flowers in a deep rose-pink, each with softly ruffled, wavy edges that give the clusters movement and depth. The blooms are bigger than those of the small-flowered Kurume types, so individual flowers stand out even from across the yard.
Winter is its second act. When cold weather settles in, the glossy dark green leaves turn shades of orange and scarlet and hold that color until spring growth begins. In a season when most shrubs are bare or plain green, it brings real warmth to foundation beds and woodland edges.
The plant has a more upright, well-branched habit than many evergreen azaleas, reaching about two to four feet tall and three to five feet wide. That extra height lets it stand behind lower, spreading azaleas or groundcovers and gives a planting some layering.
Bred in northeastern Ohio for cold-winter gardens, it is at home in the northern part of the azalea range, in partial shade or morning sun with acidic, well-drained soil.
Care
Girard’s Rose Azalea Care
Plant in partial shade or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Some direct sun boosts flowering and intensifies winter leaf color, but hot afternoon sun in summer can scorch the leaves and invite lace bugs.
It needs acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The shallow, fibrous roots dislike standing water, so in heavy clay, amend with compost and plant with the top of the root ball slightly above grade. Spread two to three inches of pine bark or leaf mulch around the plant, keeping it off the stems.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season and during dry spells afterward. A deep watering in late fall before the ground freezes helps the evergreen leaves come through winter without browning.
Feed lightly. One application of a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants, right after bloom, covers the year.
Prune only right after flowering, since next year's buds form in summer. The upright, branching structure rarely needs more than an occasional cut to remove a wayward stem. Shelter from harsh winter wind protects the colored foliage.
Size
What Size is the Girard’s Rose Azalea for Sale Online?
Our Girard’s Rose Azalea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants shipped in fall or winter may show orange to scarlet winter foliage, which is normal for this azalea. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Girard’s Rose Azalea Grow?
Expect about 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, rounded, well-branched shape. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for an informal hedge or group planting.
Additional Information
What is a Girard azalea?
Girard azaleas are evergreen hybrids developed at Girard Nurseries in northeastern Ohio. They were chosen for large, bright flowers and for keeping their leaves and buds through colder winters than many older azalea groups. See our full selection of Azaleas.
Why do the leaves turn orange and scarlet in winter?
Cold weather triggers red and orange pigments in the leaves, and this variety colors more strongly than most evergreen azaleas. The change is normal; the foliage returns to green as new growth emerges in spring. For more year-round foliage, browse our Evergreen Plants.
How is it different from Kurume azaleas?
Kurume azaleas carry many small flowers on low, dense plants. Girard’s Rose has noticeably larger, wavy-edged flowers and a taller, more upright, branching frame, so it works as a mid-height layer rather than a low edging plant.
Is Girard’s Rose Azalea deer resistant?
No. Deer browse azaleas, especially in winter. In areas with heavy deer pressure, protect plants with fencing or a repellent, or consider options from our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
