Girard's Fuchsia Azalea
Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia'
Ericaceae · broadleaf evergreen shrub · introduced
Last updated
A compact, upright evergreen azalea reaching 3 to 4 feet in 10 years and 4 to 5 feet at maturity. Hose-in-hose flowers (a double corolla creating a flower-within-a-flower effect), 2½ to 3 inches wide, vivid fuchsia-red, produced abundantly in clusters. Midseason bloom. A Girard hybrid bred at Girard Nurseries, Geneva, Ohio, from a complex cross involving 'Sandra Ann', 'Herbert', and 'Hot Shot'.
The vivid fuchsia-red color and hose-in-hose form distinguish this from the more common pastel evergreen azaleas. Hardy to approximately -15°F (Zone 5b-9a). Part shade to full sun on acidic, well-drained soil (pH 4.5-6.0). Less widely available than mass-market Kurume azaleas and may require specialty nursery sourcing. Twenty-one diseases and 15 pests documented at the genus level. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic if ingested.
Quick Facts
Root Colonization (Spring–Fall)
Infection at Bud Break
Apothecia Formation & Spore Release
Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)
+ 13 more — see full disease and pest lists below
Phenological Calendar
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| Bud swell BBCH 01-03 | Mar 15-Apr 15 |
| Bloom start BBCH 61 | Apr 20-May 5 |
| Full bloom BBCH 65 | Apr 28-May 12 |
| Bloom end BBCH 69 | May 8-May 25 |
| Bud set BBCH 55-59 | Jul 15-Sep 15 |