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Rhododendron 'Hino-Crimson'
Hino-Crimson Azalea
Garden origin (Kurume hybrid group; parent species from Kyushu, Japan)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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
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
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green, turning bronzy-purple 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
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
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: 5 gallons