Azalea japonica 'GIRARD’S ROSE'

Japanese azaleas are very popular features of our gardens. In their home climate they grow to relatively substantial shrubs, as opposed to limited sizes in our continental, dry climate. They are very floriferous, maintenance-free shrubs that usually bloom from mid to late spring.

Girard’s Rose is another Girard azalea variety that originated in Girard Nurseries in Ohio, USA. Flowers of this one are bright rosy pink and open up in May. The evergreen foliage is mid green, turning deep burgundy red in autumn and winter, changing back to green with warm days of spring. Girard azaleas are quite hardy and keep their leaves in winter down to zone 6. Girard’s Rose grows slowly, making a compact shrub with tiered branches. In constantly moist soil it can be grown in full sun.

Japanese azaleas can be clipped to shapes in early June. If so, do not use fertilizers enhancing growth rate. The size of new branches would get out hand and spoil the shape you are going to achieve. They need light, permeable soil that is acid, constantly moist (keep azaleas mulched at all times) and moderately fertile. Use fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas, or ericaceous plants. The best soil mix is 1/3 of peat, 1/3 of leaf-mould or lime-free compost, and 1/3 of soil from the hole where you are going to plant it. Azaleas have shallow roots, so do not plant not too deep. This variety proved hardy to -24°C (USDA zone 6) with leaves, the wood is hardy to min. -27°C.

Last update 18-02-2012