Hot Shot Girard Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Girard's Hot Shot'

Nature Hills Nursery

Girard Renee Michelle Heritage: Fiery Orange-Scarlet Blooms with Superior Disease Resistance
Thrives in Zones 6-9
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Showy Red, Orange Blooms in Late Spring
Excellent Privacy Screen or Hedge

$90⁹¹

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#3 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

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 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

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Evergreen, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Partial shade, Full sun
Height	2-3 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	High
Preferred Soil	Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Red, Orange
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Azalea
Botanical Name	Rhododendron x 'Girard's Hot Shot'
Species	x
Cultivar	Girard
Class	Ericales, Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to plant an Azalea bush?

Azaleas and Rhododendrons prefer partial shade (both dappled shade all day or morning sun with afternoon shade). Plant in a slightly acidic, consistently moist, enriched and well-drained soil location for best results. Their shallow roots dislike soggy soil but thrive with a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch over their surface.

How big does an Azalea bush get?

Hot Shots Girard Azalea can reach a 2-3 foot tall and wide rounded shrub form at maturity in optimal conditions.

Are Azalea bushes low maintenance?

Azalea and Rhododendron shrubs are very easy to grow and low-maintenance. Water during drought, prune only after flowering, and fertilize with an acid-loving organic, slow-release flowering plant fertilizer.

What is the difference between Rhododendrons and Azaleas?

All Azaleas are Rhododendrons but not all Rhodondendrons are Azaleas. Azalea tends to be smaller-sized with smaller leaves and stems, while Rhododendrons can be larger with stout branching and larger bloom trusses. There can both be either deciduous or broad-leaved evergreens.

How Do I Find Azalea and Rhododendron Bushes for Sale Near Me?

Make your life easier and your yard happier by shopping for Azaleas at NatureHills.com online nursery. You'll find a massive selection of flowering bushes for sale, including many lovely varieties! Choose the right shrub for your area by first finding your growing zone by entering your zip code in the field above the Plant Highlights section on our product pages. Narrow down your options by plant hardiness zone, sun availability, and size requirements. Place your order, knowing it's backed by the Nature Hills Nursery product guarantee and protected by Plant Sentry™, which helps ensure regulated plant materials aren't sent to prohibited areas. Expect to receive your plants at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone when temperatures are safest to ship through and into.