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

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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

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 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

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!

Botanical Name

Rhododendron x 'Bixby'
Class

Ericales, Magnoliopsida
Species

x
Cultivar

Bixby
Growing Zones

5-8
Height

1-2 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate

Slow
Flower Color

Pink
Leaf Color

Green, Bronze
Fall Color

Evergreen
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-8

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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.