1 / 5
© Famartin, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia'
Girard's Fuchsia Azalea
Hybrid of garden origin; bred by Peter Girard Sr. in Geneva, Ohio; the Girard hybrids were selected for cold hardiness in Ohio winters and carry cold tolerance to USDA zone 5 — a zone harder than the zone 6 limit of many other evergreen azalea groups
Overview
Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia' is an evergreen azalea reaching 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) tall with a spread of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) and a compact, dense, low-mounding, spreading habit. A Girard hybrid bred by Peter Girard Sr. in Geneva, Ohio, the cultivar produces single funnel-shaped flowers 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) wide in bright fuchsia-pink to reddish-pink — larger than the 2-2.5 inch (5-6 cm) flowers of sibling 'Girard's Crimson' and at the upper end of individual flower size for the Girard group. Flowers densely cover the plant in May; bloom duration is 3-4 weeks. Small elliptic leaves 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long are glossy dark green and turn reddish-bronze in winter. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to USDA zone 5 — a zone harder than the zone 6 limit of many other evergreen azalea groups. Toxic to pets and humans if ingested. The Girard hybrids were bred specifically for cold hardiness in Ohio winters, and 'Girard's Fuchsia' carries that hardiness alongside one of the larger flower sizes in the group.
Native Range
Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia' is a hybrid of garden origin, bred by Peter Girard Sr. at Girard Nurseries in Geneva, Ohio, as part of the Girard series of cold-hardy evergreen azaleas.Suggested Uses
Used in mass plantings, mixed borders, and foundation plantings in zones 5-9 at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. USDA zone 5 cold hardiness extends the planting range north of most evergreen azaleas and suits colder-zone gardens that cannot support the zone 6 groups. Winter foliage color — reddish-bronze from late autumn through early spring — adds a seasonal interest window beyond the May bloom. Containers of 3 gallons (11 L) minimum suit the compact habit. Toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so not suited to sites where pets or small children may browse plant material. Also not suited to alkaline soils, full sun in hot climates, or dry sites without reliable moisture.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Single funnel-shaped bright fuchsia-pink to reddish-pink flowers 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) wide densely covering the plant in May. Bloom duration is 3-4 weeks. The 2.5-3 inch (6-8 cm) flower diameter sits at the upper end of individual flower size among the Girard evergreen azaleas.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright fuchsia-pink to reddish-pink funnel-shaped flowers 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) wide densely covering the plant; MayFoliage Description
Glossy dark green leathery leaves; small elliptic 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long; turning reddish-bronze in winterGrowing 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. Hardy to USDA zone 5 — tolerates colder winters than most evergreen azaleas, which generally stop at zone 6. Winter foliage turns reddish-bronze, a seasonal color shift that reverses as new spring growth emerges. Mulch the root zone 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) deep with pine bark, pine needles, or oak leaves to hold moisture and protect the shallow root system. Toxic to pets and humans if ingested.Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering if any shaping is wanted. Avoid pruning after July — next year's flower buds form in summer and are removed by late-season cuts.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons