Bixby Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Bixby'

Nature Hills Nursery

Bixby Azalea Blooms Vivid Deep Red in Partial Shade Where Other Flowers Struggle
Thrives in Zones 5-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Pink Blooms in Late Spring
Ideal for Border or Small groups

$91⁰⁴

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This azalea performs best in filtered sunlight or dappled shade, requiring about 4 to 6 hours of sun. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun in hotter climates, as this can bleach the foliage and cause the vibrant red blooms to fade prematurely.
Soil: These plants demand acidic, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have alkaline or heavy clay soil, plant your azalea in a raised bed or a large mound of peat moss and pine bark to ensure the roots can "breathe" and stay at the correct pH.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to help the shallow roots establish. Mature Bixby Azaleas have little drought tolerance and will drop their leaves or fail to set next year's buds if the soil dries out completely. Applying a two-inch layer of pine needle mulch helps maintain the steady moisture levels these plants crave.

Pruning Tips

Bixby Azaleas bloom on old wood, so you must prune them immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. If you wait until summer or fall, you will accidentally cut off the buds for next year's show. Think of pruning as a light "shaping" rather than a hard chop; simply remove spent flower trusses and any wayward branches to maintain a neat, mounded habit.

Fertilizer Needs

Use a fertilizer specifically labeled for acid-loving plants (like an Azalea/Camellia food) once in early spring before the blooms open. You can provide a second light feeding after the flowers have finished to support new growth. Avoid high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers near the base of the plant, as this can burn the sensitive, shallow roots and inhibit flower production.

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, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	High
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Bushy
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Green, Other
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Azalea
Botanical Name	Rhododendron x 'Bixby'
Species	x
Cultivar	Bixby
Class	Ericales, Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Rosy Blooms For Shade Gardens

Bring a burst of bright pink charm to your spring landscape with the Bixby Evergreen Azalea (Rhododendron x 'Bixby'), a glowing evergreen Azalea that's a standout in partial shade. This flowering bush is covered in frilly, deep red clusters of buds in mid-May, that seem to light up under dappled tree canopies!

Bixby is a compact, rounded, dwarf Azalea perfect for small spaces, borders, and foundation beds. Loved for its vivid color, subtle fragrance, and glossy green foliage, this flowering bush is a shade garden superstar!

This broadleaf evergreen Azalea grows in a dense, mounded form, reaching about 2 feet tall and wide. The small, leathery, deep green leaves provide year-round interest, contrasting beautifully with the red blossoms that open in rounded clusters across the tips of each branch.

Key Features

Frilly, bright red trusses of blooms in early to mid-spring
Broadleaf evergreen foliage with a glossy, tidy appearance
Compact 2-foot mounded form ideal for small gardens
Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant in zones 5-8
Attracts pollinators and resists browsing from deer

Landscaping Uses

Perfect for colorful foundations, shaded borders, or woodland edges, Bixby Dwarf Azalea stays compact at around 2 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for layered planting schemes. These blooms attract pollinators and are long-lasting in cool weather. New foliage is a fresh green that deepens as it matures, with a smooth texture that makes this shrub especially neat-looking through all seasons.

Use in woodland or shade gardens
Line along foundations or paths
Mass plant for spring impact
Accent or Thriller in containers
Great facer plant in front of taller shrubs

Care & Maintenance

A cold-hardy hybrid, Bixby Azalea is part of the large-leaf evergreen Rhododendron family but remains more compact than most. Its origins trace to breeding programs aimed at increasing bloom vigor, cold tolerance, and vibrant floral display! It thrives in USDA growing zones 5-8 and excels in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade.

This broadleaf evergreen shrub is low-maintenance and offers stunning spring color. It’s tolerant of partial shade and prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Planting Time: Best planted in early spring or fall
Sun Requirements: Part shade to morning sun with afternoon shade
Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soil; avoid alkaline or clay-heavy soil
Moisture Needs: Keep evenly moist; use the Finger Test to monitor soil moisture
Arborist Mulch: Add a 3–4 inch layer of arborist mulch to keep roots cool and moist
Fertilization Needs: Use a slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring; compost helps improve soil
Pruning Info: Prune lightly after flowering to shape; blooms on old wood, so avoid heavy pruning after midsummer
Renewal Pruning: Not needed unless very overgrown
Special Perks/Growing Tips:

Deer-resistant
Cold-hardy
Thrives in acidic soils

Year-Round Dwarf Color With Bixby!

This bright red Azalea makes spring sing with color and life. Bixby Azalea adds structure, evergreen beauty, and an explosion of blooms without taking up too much space. Order your Bixby Azalea and start enjoying a punch of rosy red color under your trees today from NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bixby Azalea a fast-growing or slow-growing plant?

Bixby Azalea is a slow-growing shrub that reaches its mature size of 2 feet tall and wide gradually over several years. This compact growth habit makes it perfect for small spaces where you don't want rapid expansion. Plant it where it can stay long-term without outgrowing its spot.

Is Bixby Azalea deer resistant?

Bixby Azalea resists browsing from deer, making it a reliable choice for problem areas. This compact 2-foot shrub produces bright red blooms in mid-May that deer typically avoid. Plant in partial shade for best results and shop at Nature Hills for healthy specimens.

What size container does the Bixby Azalea come in when shipped?

Bixby Azalea typically ships in a 1-gallon container, though larger sizes may be available seasonally. This compact shrub reaches just 2 feet tall and wide at maturity. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment in zones 5-8.

Can Bixby Azalea be shipped to my location during winter months?

Bixby Azalea can be shipped during winter months to zones 5-8 where it's cold-hardy. Winter shipping protects the plant during dormancy and allows for early spring planting. Check your local forecast and plant when soil isn't frozen for best establishment.

How much fertilizer does Bixby Azalea require annually?

Bixby Azalea needs minimal fertilizer - just one application of acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring before blooming. This compact 2-foot shrub thrives in zones 5-8 with light feeding. Apply around the drip line and water in well, available at naturehills.com.

Does Bixby Azalea need regular pruning to maintain its shape?

Bixby Azalea naturally maintains its compact 2-foot mounded form with minimal pruning needed. This dwarf variety grows densely on its own. If pruning is desired, do it immediately after spring blooming to avoid removing next year's flower buds.

Bixby Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Bixby'