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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Rhododendron 'Girard''s Crimson' is an evergreen azalea in the heath family (Ericaceae) reaching 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) tall with a spread of 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 m), carrying a compact dense low-mounding spreading habit. The cultivar belongs to the Girard hybrid group of cold-hardy evergreen azaleas bred by Peter Girard Sr. in Geneva, Ohio, and produces single funnel-shaped flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) wide in deep crimson-red tones that densely cover the plant during the May bloom window. The small elliptic leaves run 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, glossy dark green during the growing season, and turn reddish-bronze to maroon tones across the winter dormant period — winter leaf bronzing runs as a characteristic Girard hybrid trait. Growth rate runs moderate. Hardy to zone 5 — zone 5 hardiness extends the cultivar into colder climate zones than most evergreen azaleas accommodate. The Girard hybrid group was selected specifically for cold-hardiness performance across Ohio winter conditions.
Native Range
Rhododendron 'Girard''s Crimson' is a hybrid of garden origin, bred by Peter Girard Sr. in Geneva, Ohio, through selection for cold hardiness across Ohio winter growing conditions.Suggested Uses
Grown in mass plantings, mixed-shrub borders, or foundation plantings at 3–4 foot (0.9–1.2 m) spacing. The deep crimson-red flower color covers the compact plant across the May bloom window. Zone 5 cold hardiness extends the cultivar into colder climate zones than most evergreen azaleas accommodate, which gives the cultivar a working role in cold-winter landscape plantings. Winter-bronzing foliage extends ornamental value into the dormant season. Alkaline soils, full-sun exposures, and dry sites without irrigation support are all unsuitable given the cultural profile.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Single funnel-shaped deep crimson-red flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) wide open during the May bloom window across a 3- to 4-week flowering period. The flower density runs high enough to cover most of the canopy surface across the peak bloom phase.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep crimson-red single funnel-shaped flowers 2-2.5 inches across densely covering the plant during the May bloom windowFoliage Description
Glossy dark green small elliptic leaves 1-1.5 inches long across the growing season; reddish-bronze to maroon tones develop across the winter dormant periodGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial shade in moist well-drained acidic soil at pH 4.5–6.0, tolerating loam, peat, and sand substrates. Hardy to zone 5 — the cultivar carries greater cold tolerance than most evergreen azaleas across the genus. Winter foliage turns reddish-bronze to maroon across the dormant season rather than staying green. Mulching protects the shallow azalea root system across the winter months and maintains cool moist root-zone conditions across the growing season.Pruning
Light pruning after the bloom phase ends runs within the cultural tolerance range when shape adjustment matters. Azaleas form next-year flower buds during the summer growth phase — pruning after July removes developing flower buds and reduces the following year bloom. Pruning windows close by early July across the growing cycle.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
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A
S
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D
late spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons