What hardiness zones is Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' suitable for?

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson'?

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' requires Part Shade.

How much water does Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' need?

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' has Medium water needs.

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson', Hino-Crimson Azalea

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson'

Hino-Crimson Azalea

Ericaceae

Garden origin (Kurume hybrid group; parent species from Kyushu, Japan)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageEvergreen

Height2-4 feet (60-120 cm)

Width3-5 feet (90-150 cm)

Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

A compact, mounding evergreen shrub in the Kurume azalea group, reaching 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall with a spread of 3-5 feet (90-150 cm). Leaves are small, oval, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long, glossy dark green in the growing season, turning bronzy-purple in winter. Flowers are single, funnel-shaped, 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) across, crimson-red, borne in clusters of 2-3 at branch tips. Bloom is profuse; flowers may obscure foliage entirely during peak bloom in mid to late spring. Growth rate is slow, adding 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year under typical conditions; plants reach mature size in 8-10 years. Branching is dense and twiggy, forming a rounded mound without pruning. Root system is shallow and fibrous, typical of ericaceous plants, requiring mulch to maintain soil moisture. In alkaline or poorly drained soils, chlorosis and root rot develop. In full sun without adequate moisture, leaf scorch occurs on south-facing exposures during summer heat. Flower buds are susceptible to damage from late frosts below 20°F (-7°C). Lace bugs may infest foliage in hot, sunny locations, causing stippled, bleached upper leaf surfaces.

Native Range

Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson' is a Kurume hybrid azalea of garden origin, derived from breeding programs involving Japanese species including Rhododendron kiusianum and Rhododendron kaempferi, native to the mountains of Kyushu, Japan. Introduced to Western horticulture through the Wilson Fifty, a collection of 50 Kurume azalea cultivars brought from Japan to the Arnold Arboretum in 1919.

Suggested Uses

Commonly used in foundation plantings, low borders, and mass plantings at 3-4 foot (90-120 cm) spacing. Grows in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with acidic potting mix and adequate drainage. Shallow root system limits use under established trees competing for surface moisture.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other Kurume azaleas by single (not hose-in-hose) crimson-red flowers, 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) across. Leaves small and oval, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) long, dark green and glossy above, lighter below. Dense, twiggy growth habit forming a compact rounded mound. Winter foliage turns bronzy-purple, distinguishing it from cultivars that remain green.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Mid to late April through May in zones 5-7; April in zones 8-9. Individual flowers last 7-10 days. Total bloom period extends 2-3 weeks. Cold springs may delay bloom by 1-2 weeks; late frosts below 20°F (-7°C) damage open flowers and developing buds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Crimson-red

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, turning bronzy-purple in winter

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandpeat

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in acidic soil with pH 4.5-6.0; chlorosis develops in alkaline conditions. Water consistently during the first two growing seasons, providing 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week in the absence of rainfall. Established plants require supplemental irrigation during dry spells exceeding 2 weeks, particularly in summer. Maintain 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of acidic mulch such as pine bark or pine needles over the root zone, keeping mulch away from the stem. Lace bugs are the most common pest in sunny, hot locations; monitor undersides of leaves for stippled damage from May through September. Petal blight (Ovulinia azaleae) can disfigure flowers in wet springs; remove affected flowers promptly.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering, before next year's flower buds set in mid-summer. Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches at any time. Shearing is tolerated but produces a dense outer shell with bare interior branches over time. Hard renovation pruning to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) is possible in early spring; expect 2-3 years for recovery and resumed flowering.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans