Rhododendron ‘Karen’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, and woodland edges.
Benefits: A cold-hardy azalea that smothers itself in lavender-purple flowers in mid-spring. Its small leaves turn burgundy-red in fall, and many hold on through winter in a sheltered spot.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Life Cycle: Semi-Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Mounding — dense and twiggy.
Bloom Color: Lavender-Purple
Foliage Color: Dark Green, turning Burgundy-Red in fall
Mature Height: 3–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Mid-spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
An azalea that keeps blooming where winters turn cold.
Many evergreen azaleas lose their flower buds in a hard northern winter. Karen is one of the hybrids gardeners in colder regions rely on, holding its buds into zone 5 and covering itself in lavender-purple flowers in mid-spring.
The plant forms a dense, twiggy mound about three to four feet tall and wide. That size suits foundation beds, low hedges, and drifts along a woodland edge, and the cool flower color blends easily with white, pink, and red azaleas.
Fall brings a second season. The small leaves turn burgundy-red as nights cool, and in a sheltered spot many of them hang on through winter. In colder, more exposed sites it drops more of its foliage, which is normal for a semi-evergreen azalea.
Care
Karen Azalea Care
Plant in partial shade, with morning sun and protection from hot afternoon sun. Some winter shade and shelter from drying wind help it hold more leaves through the cold months.
Azaleas need acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Work compost or shredded pine bark into the planting area, and avoid heavy clay that stays wet, since the fine roots rot in soggy ground. Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits slightly above the surrounding soil.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Azalea roots are shallow, so a two-to-three-inch layer of pine bark or pine needle mulch helps keep them cool and moist. Established plants still appreciate a soaking during dry spells.
Feed lightly after flowering with a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants. Heavy feeding is not needed and can push soft growth.
Prune, if needed, right after the flowers fade. Azaleas set next year’s flower buds by mid to late summer, so pruning later in the season removes next spring’s bloom.
Growing in Containers
Azaleas grow well in large containers on a shaded patio or porch. Use an acidic potting mix in a pot with drainage holes, water whenever the top inch of mix feels dry, and feed lightly in spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out. 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 Karen Azalea for Sale Online?
Our Karen Azalea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with fewer leaves, especially in colder months. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Karen Azalea Grow?
Expect about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, mounded form. Space plants about 3 feet apart for a low hedge or mass planting.
Additional Information
What is the difference between an azalea and a rhododendron?
All azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron. Gardeners generally use “azalea” for the types with smaller leaves, more twiggy growth, and funnel-shaped flowers, and “rhododendron” for the larger-leaved types with big flower trusses.
Is it evergreen?
It is semi-evergreen. In mild winters and sheltered spots it holds much of its foliage, which turns burgundy-red; in colder, exposed sites it drops more leaves over winter and refills in spring. Browse more Azaleas.
Will it bloom in a cold climate?
Yes. It is one of the more reliable evergreen-type azaleas for zone 5, holding its flower buds through winters that damage many southern types. Planting it out of strong winter wind improves results further. See our Shrubs & Bushes for more cold-climate choices.
Will deer eat it?
Deer do browse azaleas, especially in winter. In gardens with heavy deer pressure, plan on repellents or fencing, or choose from our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
