Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Tradition’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, and part-shade beds.
Benefits: A dependable evergreen azalea covered in spring with bright pink, hose-in-hose double flowers. Forms a neat mound of dark green leaves that add winter color.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Mounding — dense and compact.
Bloom Color: Bright Pink (hose-in-hose double)
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green
Mature Height: 2–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Mid to late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Every flower looks like two, which makes the whole shrub look twice as full.
Tradition is a Girard evergreen azalea known for its hose-in-hose flowers: each bloom has a second ring of petals nested inside the first, so the clusters look layered and double rather than flat. In mid to late spring the plant covers itself in these bright pink flowers, and the doubled petals give the display a soft, full texture that holds up well when viewed close.
Out of bloom it is just as useful. Glossy, dark green leaves cover a dense, rounded mound about two to four feet tall and three to five feet wide, keeping beds and foundations looking finished through every season. The compact, even shape suits formal and informal plantings alike.
Girard azaleas were developed for gardens with cold winters, so this one fits comfortably in northern landscapes where some older azalea groups struggle. It blends easily with rhododendrons, hollies, and ferns, and bright pink pairs well with white or lavender azaleas for a longer, layered spring show.
Give it the filtered light of high shade or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shelter, and it will bloom heavily year after year.
Care
Girard’s Tradition Azalea Care
Plant in partial shade or where it gets a few hours of morning sun. Some direct light keeps flowering heavy, but hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and tends to bring lace bugs.
Azaleas need acidic, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. The roots are fine and shallow, so avoid low, soggy spots; in heavy clay, mix in compost or set the plant slightly high, with the top of the root ball just above grade. Finish with two to three inches of pine bark or shredded leaf mulch, pulled back from the stems.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season, and during dry spells afterward, since shallow roots dry out quickly. A deep watering in late fall before the ground freezes helps the evergreen leaves through winter.
Feed lightly. One application of a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants after flowering is plenty.
Flower buds form during summer for the following spring, so do any shaping right after bloom. The naturally rounded habit seldom needs more than a light trim. A site out of strong winter wind helps keep the leaves from browning.
Growing in Containers
Its dense, rounded shape suits a large patio container near an entry. Use a pot with drainage holes and a potting mix suited to acid-loving plants. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often in warm weather, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Girard’s Tradition Azalea for Sale Online?
Our Girard’s Tradition 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 are past bloom and may show some bronzing on older leaves, which is normal. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Girard’s Tradition Azalea Grow?
Expect about 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, rounded mound. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for a continuous low hedge or mass planting.
Additional Information
What does hose-in-hose mean?
Hose-in-hose describes a flower with two sets of petals, one tucked inside the other, so each bloom looks doubled. The extra petals make the flower clusters look fuller than those of single-flowered azaleas while keeping the classic azalea shape.
What is a Girard azalea?
Girard azaleas are evergreen hybrids bred at Girard Nurseries in northeastern Ohio, selected to keep their leaves and flower buds through colder winters than many older azaleas. See our full selection of Azaleas.
Will the leaves stay on through winter?
Mostly, yes. It holds the bulk of its glossy leaves through winter, though a few older leaves may yellow and drop each fall, which is normal for evergreen azaleas. For more shrubs with year-round foliage, browse our Evergreen Plants.
Is Girard’s Tradition Azalea deer resistant?
No. Deer browse azaleas, especially in winter. Where deer are a problem, protect plants with fencing or a repellent, or look through our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
