Azalea bushes are popular flowering shrubs known for their vibrant, colorful blooms that appear in spring. They belong to the Rhododendron genus and come in both evergreen and deciduous varieties, offering different textures and year-round interest.
These bushes thrive in partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil. They are often found in woodland gardens or under the canopy of trees, where filtered sunlight enhances their flowering potential.
Azaleas have a mounded, compact shape and are relatively low-maintenance once established. Regular mulching and light pruning after flowering help keep them healthy and neat.
The flowers come in a range of colors including pink, red, white, orange, and purple. Their trumpet-shaped blossoms often attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, making them a great choice for pollinator gardens.
Azalea bushes are commonly used in landscaping for borders, hedges, and foundation plantings. Their striking spring display makes them a favorite in both private gardens and public parks.
Evergreen Red Azaleas
‘Stewartstonian’ (Gable Hybrid)
- Description: A compact evergreen with bright red-orange to true red, single blooms.
- Size: 4–5 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Mid spring blooms, zones 5–8, cold-hardy, glossy foliage turns reddish in fall, suits northern gardens.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0), consistent moisture, mulch for protection.
‘Hershey’s Red’ (Kurume Hybrid)
- Description: A low-growing evergreen with vivid red, small, single flowers in dense clusters.
- Size: 2–3 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide.
- Features: Early spring blooms, zones 6–9, compact, ideal for borders or rock gardens.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, light pruning to maintain shape.
‘Autumn Ruby’ (Encore Hybrid)
- Description: A reblooming evergreen with bright red, single blooms in spring, summer, and fall.
- Size: 2.5–3 feet tall, 3–3.5 feet wide.
- Features: Zones 7–10, dwarf habit, perfect for small spaces or continuous color.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil, fertilize lightly after each bloom cycle.
‘Red Formosa’ (Southern Indica Hybrid)
- Description: A vigorous evergreen with large, deep red to magenta-red flowers.
- Size: 6–8 feet tall, 5–7 feet wide.
- Features: Early spring blooms, zones 7–10, thrives in warm climates, great for hedges or screens.
- Care: Partial shade to filtered sun, well-drained acidic soil, regular watering.
‘Red Wing’ (Kurume Hybrid)
- Description: A compact evergreen with vibrant red, single flowers in dense clusters.
- Size: 2–3 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide.
- Features: Early spring blooms, zones 6–9, dense growth, perfect for low borders or rock gardens.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0), consistent moisture, light pruning.
‘Autumn Embers’ (Encore Hybrid)
- Description: A reblooming evergreen with deep red, semi-double blooms in spring, summer, and fall.
- Size: 3–4 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide.
- Features: Zones 7–10, compact, ideal for continuous color in mixed beds or small spaces.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, fertilize lightly post-bloom.
‘George Taber’ (Southern Indica Hybrid)
- Description: A vigorous evergreen with large, deep red to reddish-pink flowers, often with a lighter center.
- Size: 6–8 feet tall, 5–7 feet wide.
- Features: Early to mid spring blooms, zones 7–10, thrives in warm climates, great for screens.
- Care: Partial shade to filtered sun, acidic soil, regular watering, mulch for moisture.
‘Flame’ (Glenn Dale Hybrid)
- Description: An upright evergreen with fiery red-orange, single blooms, bred for vigor.
- Size: 4–6 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Mid spring blooms, zones 6–9, disease-resistant, suits borders or as a specimen.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, protect from harsh winds.
Deciduous Red Azaleas
‘Cannon’s Double’ (Exbury Hybrid)
- Description: A deciduous azalea with double, red-orange to scarlet flowers, mildly fragrant.
- Size: 5–6 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Mid spring blooms, zones 5–8, vibrant red-orange fall foliage, suits mixed borders.
- Care: Partial shade, moist acidic soil, water during dry spells.
Rhododendron calendulaceum ‘Red Inferno’ (Flame Azalea)
- Description: A native deciduous azalea with fiery red to red-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Size: 6–10 feet tall, 5–8 feet wide.
- Features: Late spring blooms, zones 5–7, native to eastern U.S., attracts hummingbirds, ideal for large landscapes.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil, tolerates moist conditions.
‘Red Demon’ (Knap Hill Hybrid)
- Description: A deciduous azalea with vivid red, single flowers, slightly fragrant.
- Size: 4–6 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Late spring blooms, zones 5–8, orange-red fall foliage, great for mass plantings.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, keep moist.
‘Weston’s Parade’ (Weston Hybrid)
- Description: A compact deciduous azalea with bright red to coral-red, fragrant flowers.
- Size: 3–4 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide.
- Features: Late spring blooms, zones 4–8, red-orange fall foliage, suits small gardens or pollinator beds.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil, light pruning post-bloom.
Rhododendron prunifolium ‘Scarlet Blaze’ (Plumleaf Azalea)
- Description: A rare native deciduous azalea with scarlet-red, non-fragrant flowers, blooming later than most.
- Size: 8–10 feet tall, 6–8 feet wide.
- Features: Summer blooms, zones 5–7, native to Alabama/Georgia, attracts hummingbirds, ideal for shaded woodlands.
- Care: Partial shade, moist acidic soil, minimal pruning.
‘Fireball’ (Exbury Hybrid)
- Description: A deciduous azalea with intense red-orange, single flowers, lightly fragrant.
- Size: 5–7 feet tall, 4–6 feet wide.
- Features: Mid spring blooms, zones 5–8, vibrant orange-red fall foliage, ideal for large landscapes.
- Care: Partial shade, moist acidic soil, water during dry periods.
‘Red Sunset’ (Northern Lights Hybrid)
- Description: A cold-hardy deciduous azalea with deep red to reddish-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Size: 4–5 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide.
- Features: Early spring blooms, zones 3–7, bred for extreme cold, red fall foliage, suits northern gardens.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil, mulch for winter protection.
‘Hot Shot’ (Knap Hill Hybrid)
- Description: A deciduous azalea with vivid scarlet-red, single blooms, slightly fragrant.
- Size: 4–6 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Late spring blooms, zones 5–8, fiery fall foliage, great for mass plantings or borders.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, keep moist.
Rhododendron austrinum ‘Red Dragon’ (Florida Azalea)
- Description: A native deciduous azalea with bright red-orange, fragrant flowers, native to southeastern U.S.
- Size: 6–8 feet tall, 5–7 feet wide.
- Features: Early spring blooms, zones 6–9, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, suits naturalized settings.
- Care: Partial shade, acidic soil, tolerates sandy or moist conditions.
‘Boudoir’ (Ghent Hybrid)
- Description: A deciduous azalea with deep red, double flowers, strongly fragrant, resembling small roses.
- Size: 5–6 feet tall, 4–5 feet wide.
- Features: Mid to late spring blooms, zones 5–8, golden-red fall foliage, perfect for cottage gardens.
- Care: Partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, avoid waterlogged roots.
General Care Tips for Red Azaleas
- Light: Partial shade; too much sun may fade red blooms, while too little reduces flowering.
- Soil: Acidic (pH 4.5–6.0), well-drained, rich in organic matter.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist; mulch to retain moisture.
- Pruning: Trim lightly after spring bloom to shape; avoid heavy cuts to preserve buds.
- Fertilizer: Use acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring; avoid over-fertilizing.
N/B
- Red azaleas range from bright (‘Hershey’s Red’, ‘Autumn Ruby’) to deep tones (‘Red Formosa’, ‘Scarlet Blaze’), offering bold garden accents.
- Evergreen types (‘Stewartstonian’, ‘Red Formosa’) provide year-round structure, while deciduous varieties (‘Cannon’s Double’, ‘Red Inferno’) add seasonal flair with fall color.
- Native azaleas (‘Red Inferno’, ‘Scarlet Blaze’) support pollinators, ideal for ecological gardens.
- Reblooming ‘Autumn Ruby’ ensures extended color in warmer zones (7–10).
- Evergreen varieties (‘Autumn Embers’, ‘Flame’) provide year-round structure, while deciduous types (‘Fireball’, ‘Red Dragon’) offer seasonal flair with fall color.
- Fragrant options (‘Red Dragon’, ‘Boudoir’) and native azaleas (‘Red Dragon’) attract pollinators, ideal for ecological gardens.
- Reblooming ‘Autumn Embers’ ensures extended color in warmer zones (7–10).