Evergreen Azalea ‘Girard’s Scarlet’ (Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Scarlet’)
Compact Evergreen Azalea with Vibrant Red Spring Blooms
🌿 Plant Overview
Common Name: Evergreen Azalea
Botanical Name: Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Scarlet’
Plant Type: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Family: Ericaceae
Hardiness Zones: 6–8
Native Range: Hybrid (genus native to Asia and North America)
📊 Key Characteristics
Height: 18–24 inches
Spread: 30–36 inches
Bloom Time: April to May
Flower Color: Deep orange-red
Foliage: Evergreen, glossy green
Growth Habit: Low, dense, mounding
☀️ Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure: Part shade (morning sun, afternoon shade preferred)
Water Needs: Medium (consistent moisture required)
Soil: Acidic, rich, humusy, well-drained
Maintenance Level: Medium
Evergreen azaleas thrive in cool, sheltered environments with protection from harsh sun and wind. Soil must remain evenly moist but never waterlogged.
🌸 Garden Features
✔️ Brilliant spring color
✔️ Evergreen foliage for year-round interest
✔️ Compact size ideal for small spaces
✔️ Attracts butterflies
✔️ Winter interest
✔️ Rabbit tolerant
✂️ Care & Maintenance
Remove spent blooms after flowering to promote plant health and next year’s buds. Maintain acidic soil conditions (pH 5.0–5.5) for optimal growth. Apply mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture. Avoid disturbing shallow root systems.
🌼 Landscape Uses
Woodland gardens, shade gardens, foundation plantings, shrub borders, hedges, mass plantings
🌿 19 Birch Lane Insight
‘Girard’s Scarlet’ brings a bold burst of color to shaded garden spaces—perfect for layering beneath trees or softening the edges of more structured plantings.
🌱 Noteworthy Characteristics
This compact azalea produces vivid, slightly ruffled orange-red flowers in mid-spring, standing out against its evergreen foliage. Its dense, low-growing habit makes it ideal for borders and foundation plantings, while its winter foliage provides structure even in colder months.
⚠️ Problems
Susceptible to root rot, lace bugs, aphids, and chlorosis if soil conditions are poor. Proper drainage, acidic soil, and consistent care will minimize issues.
Evergreen Azalea ‘Girard’s Scarlet’ (Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Scarlet’)
Compact Evergreen Azalea with Vibrant Red Spring Blooms