Karen Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Karen'

$33⁷⁹

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Plant Size

#1 Container #3 Container

Product variants

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Evergreen, Flowering, Cold hardy, and Attracts pollinators

Specifications

Botanical Name

Rhododendron x 'Karen'
Height

4 ft
Width

4 ft
Growing Zones

5-9
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Purple
- Pink
Leaf Color
- Green
- Purple
- Bronze
Fall Color

Bronze
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Karen Azaleas thrive in filtered sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade. Aim for 4 to 6 hours of light; too much hot afternoon sun can scorch the evergreen leaves, while too much shade reduces the density of those vibrant lavender blooms.
Soil: These plants demand acidic, well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant them in a raised mound to ensure the roots do not sit in water, which can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, provide about one inch of water per week to help the root system knit into your native soil. Once established, the Karen Azalea is relatively hardy, but it will drop its inner leaves or produce fewer flower buds if it experiences extreme drought. Keep the soil consistently moist, similar to a wrung out sponge, to maintain its lush appearance.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety blooms on old wood, you must prune immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Simply head back long stems to maintain a rounded shape and remove any dead wood to encourage fresh growth for next year's buds. Think of it like a post bloom haircut; if you wait until autumn, you will accidentally snip off all of next spring's flower show.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a slow release fertilizer formulated for acid loving plants, such as Holly-Tone, once in early spring before new growth starts. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. Doing so can trigger a flush of tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost, leading to significant winter dieback.

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Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

What makes Karen Azalea special?

It's the most cold-hardy evergreen azalea with stunning double pinky-purple blooms that completely cover the plant in spring.

What Growing Conditions Does It Need?

Karen Azalea thrives in USDA zones 4-9 in partial shade with morning sun and afternoon protection. It needs acidic, well-drained soil and grows 2-4 feet tall by 3-5 feet wide at maturity. This compact evergreen performs best with consistent moisture but never soggy conditions.

How Do I Plant and Care for Karen Azalea?

Plant your Karen Azalea in a raised mound about 18 inches tall, leaving the top few inches of the root ball visible above ground. Cover with 3-4 inches of pine mulch (keeping it away from the stem). Mix peat moss and perlite into your soil to improve drainage and acidity.

Water regularly during dry spells and fertilize with acid-loving plant food in early spring. Prune only immediately after flowering ends to preserve next year's blooms. The shallow roots appreciate consistent moisture but hate standing water.

What Are the Key Benefits?

Your garden gets four-season structure from this evergreen that stays compact enough for small spaces and containers. The vibrant spring display attracts butterflies and hummingbirds right when your garden needs color most. Unlike many azaleas, this Gable Hybrid handles cold winters down to zone 4.

Karen Azalea works perfectly as a foundation plant, low hedge, or patio container specimen. The rounded form needs minimal pruning to maintain its neat appearance.

What Should I Know Before Buying?

This azalea must have acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0) or it will struggle with chlorosis and poor growth. Plant in early spring or fall for best establishment. Afternoon shade is essential in zones 7-9 to prevent leaf scorch.

Pair Karen with other evergreen shrubs for winter structure or combine with early-blooming perennials for a coordinated spring display. For best impact, plant in groups of 3-5 spaced 3 feet apart. Consider our complete rhododendron care guide for detailed growing tips.

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

Karen Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Karen'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications