‘Hino-Crimson’ azalea packs a punch of color!
With so many azaleas on the market it can be hard to choose, but you can’t go wrong with tried-and-true ‘Hino-Crimson’. This award-winning variety packs a punch when it explodes with trusses of scarlet red blooms that completely cover the shrub in early spring. The small glossy-green leaves develop a bronze cast in winter and plants hold onto them until new growth begins again in spring.
‘Hino-Crimson’ azalea (Rhododendron hybrid)
Type Shrub
Blooms Clusters of single, crimson-red flowers in early to midspring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Pests Occasional rust or powdery mildew
Size 2 to 4 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide
Cold hardiness USDA zones 5 to 8
Tips for growing ‘Hino-Crimson’ azalea
Grow this azalea in dappled light with protection from the afternoon sun so the foliage won’t burn. Azaleas have shallow roots so when you plant, set the crown at the same depth it was growing in the pot to avoid smothering the roots or causing the plant to rot. A 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture and keep soil temperatures even.
Protect azaleas from a cold-snap
As with many spring-blooming shrubs, a cold snap can jeopardize the blooms, so if you’re expecting temps below 25 degrees F and your ‘Hino- Crimson’ has fat buds or is blooming, toss a sheet or landscape fabric over it to save the flowers.
Pruning ‘Hino-Crimson’ azalea
‘Hino-Crimson’ doesn’t need much pruning. Remove any
dead branches in spring but wait until after it flowers to shape the shrub so you don’t risk cutting off next year’s buds.
If powdery mildew or rust have been a problem in the past, remove a few stems
from the center to thin the growth and encourage better air circulation.
Deadheading isn’t strictly necessary but can help tidy this shrub up after flowers fade. Just pinch spent blooms off with your fingertips.
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