Hot Shot Girard Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Girard's Hot Shot'

Nature Hills Nursery

$90⁹¹

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#3 Container #1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the most vibrant red blooms, plant in a spot that receives 4 to 6 hours of morning sun with protection from harsh afternoon heat. While it can handle more shade, you will notice fewer flowers and a more open, leggy growth habit.
Soil: These plants crave acidic, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant your azalea in a raised mound or add pine bark to the soil to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Hot Shot Azalea twice a week to keep the root ball consistently moist but not soggy. Once established, this variety is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the summer can lead to bud drop and smaller flowers the following spring. Aim for deep, infrequent soakings at the base of the plant rather than light sprinkles on the leaves.

Pruning Tips

Hot Shot Azaleas bloom on old wood, meaning they set their flower buds for next year shortly after they finish blooming this year. To avoid cutting off next season's display, perform any shaping or "haircuts" immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Use sharp hand pruners to thin out crossing branches, which allows more air and light into the center of the shrub to keep the foliage dense.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow release fertilizer specifically formulated for acid loving plants in early spring before the new growth begins. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, as this encourages tender new growth that will likely be killed off by the first hard frost. A simple layer of pine needle mulch will also help maintain the soil acidity these plants love.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Compact Azalea with a brilliant display, the Hot Shot Girard Azalea (Rhododendron x 'Girard's Hot Shot') is a hardy, ornamental shrub with brilliant flowers. This new line of shrubs is superior to other varieties of Azaleas. The improvements will be obvious as they are very easy growing, disease resistant, maintain excellent color year-round, and are strong growing plants with lots of large blooms.

In spring, this shrub comes alive with masses of 3-inch, fiery orange-scarlet blooms every spring. The large, ruffled flowers, are interspersed amid the vibrant dark-green hues of its compact form. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators love bright flowers, and you'll enjoy providing them with this special treat.

You'll love this Girard hybrid broad-leaved evergreen Azalea all year long! You'll also love the beautiful foliage in the fall, as it shines with firey red majesty! Even in winter, the evergreen nature gives some much-welcomed interest and color throughout the drabbest of the seasons.

Planting and Application:

Get ready to plan an annual party to Welcome Spring during bloom time! Use these vibrant spring hues to light up the curb appeal around your entire home! Perfect in your backyard to highlight a seating area, or create year-round backdrops to garden beds. An ideal size for shrub borders, foundation plantings, or a low hedge, this beautiful Azalea is also suitable for use by Japanese Bonsai enthusiasts.

Hot Shot presents a splendid display in your front yard landscape as a foundation planting. Add its early color and year-round greenery to mixed shrub hedges and property defining borders. Its smaller, more compact size, is a welcome addition for those with smaller planting spaces. Even containers and planters are great for Hot Shot, especially when you have poorly drained soil or are short on space.

Hardy Broad-leaved Evergreen Green Foliage
Brilliant Red Spring Flowers
Small Size Perfect For Today's Smaller Yards
Pollinator Friendly
Hedges, Foundations, Vivid Spring Display & Containers

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 to 9 and grows 2-3 feet tall and just under 3 feet wide. It's drought-tolerant and requires little care beyond well-drained soil. Plant in partial shade, or morning sun and afternoon shade. Best in rich soil that is mulched so their shallow root systems do not dry out, ensure they are not in soggy sites. Berm the area by 18-24 inches and plant directly into this mound if you suspect poor drainage. This Rhododendron family member is an extremely hardy evergreen Azalea and needs very little care or pruning, but if you do, prune immediately after flowering only. After bloom, it adapts very well to pruning to augment the plant's natural mounding habit.

Partial Shade
Moderate to Moist Soil
Well-Drained Very Enriched Soil
Prune Right After Flowering
Year Round Foliage

Demand for the Hot Shot Girard Azalea is extremely high. Order yours now and enjoy this compact evergreen with its showy display. Order today at Nature Hills Nursery.

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Growing Zones 6-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

Evergreen plant

My Hot Shot Azalea is about the only thing that is green in my yard this time of year. The red flowers are so eye catching. I really like this plant.

Hi Lenny,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely experience with your Hot Shot Girard Azalea! It’s wonderful to hear how it brings vibrant green and striking red blooms to your yard this time of year. Azaleas like yours are true showstoppers and can really brighten up any landscape, especially during those quieter seasons.

If you’re looking to keep your azalea thriving, make sure it stays in well-drained acidic soil and enjoys some partial shade — they really appreciate protection from the hot afternoon sun. Regular watering, especially during dry spells, will help maintain those lush green leaves and blooms. If you ever want to explore companion plants that complement your azalea’s festive colors, we’re glad to assist!

Thanks again for sharing your enthusiasm. Your azalea’s beauty definitely sounds like a bright spot in the garden!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Evergreen plant

My Hot Shot Azalea is about the only thing that is green in my yard this time of year. The red flowers are so eye catching. I really like this plant.

Hi Lenny,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Hot Shot Girard Azalea! It’s wonderful to hear that this vibrant evergreen is bringing such beautiful color and life to your yard during the colder months. The bright red flowers really are captivating and can brighten up any landscape when many other plants are dormant.

If you'd like to keep your azalea thriving year after year, make sure it’s planted in well-drained, acidic soil and receives some partial shade—these factors help maintain its vibrant foliage and abundant blooms. Regular mulching and careful watering during dry spells can also support its health throughout the seasons. We also offer some great resources on azalea care on our website, so feel free to explore those for more tips.

Thanks again for your kind words and for choosing NatureHills.com for your gardening journey!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

great small shrub

I bought 5 to put along one side of my driveway. Just be careful, I lost one where it was under a tree & did't get enough sun. They look great all year. Love them!

Hello Mary Ann,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Hot Shot Girard Azalea! We’re thrilled to hear that they’re bringing such vibrant beauty to your driveway. You made an excellent point about sunlight—azaleas really do thrive best with some morning sun or filtered light, so it’s wise to avoid planting them under dense tree canopies where shade is persistent.

If you find yourself wanting to sprinkle some more color in areas with less sun in the future, consider shade-tolerant shrubs like Dogwoods or certain Hydrangeas for those trickier spots. Also, gently pruning nearby trees to increase light can help ensure the azaleas continue to flourish. For ongoing care, regular watering (especially during dry spells) and applying an acid-loving plant fertilizer will keep them happy and healthy through the seasons.

We really appreciate your thoughtful insights, and we’re here whenever you need tips or assistance growing your beautifully vibrant landscape.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

great small shrub

I bought 5 to put along one side of my driveway. Just be careful, I lost one where it was under a tree & did't get enough sun. They look great all year. Love them!

Hi Mary A.,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Hot Shot Girard Azaleas! We're delighted to hear they are looking great and adding beauty all year along your driveway. You made such a keen observation about the sun requirements—those azaleas definitely thrive best with adequate sunlight, and it’s understandable that they struggled under the tree shade. For future plantings, we recommend partial to full sun spots and well-drained soil to keep your azaleas flourishing. If you'd like, we’d be happy to suggest companion plants or tips to optimize your driveway landscape.

Thanks again for your thoughtful review, and happy gardening!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Flowers

What a show this plant puts on when it flowers and the dark green foliage just adds to the picture!

Hello Teddy Bear,

Thank you so much for sharing your delightful experience with the Hot Shot Girard Azalea! We're thrilled to hear that its vibrant flowers and rich, dark green foliage are making such a charming show in your garden. This variety truly shines when in bloom, and it's wonderful to know it has found a happy home with you.

To keep your azalea thriving, remember they prefer well-draining, acidic soil and dappled sunlight for the best flowering results. Regular watering, especially during dry spells, will help maintain their lush appearance. If you ever need season-specific tips or want to explore companion plants that complement your azalea, don't hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help your garden flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Hot Shot Girard Azalea