Karen Azalea

What a gorgeous plant to spice up your landscape! You'll definitely notice the bold Karen Azalea (Rhododendron x 'Karen') blooms in early spring. They'll cover the bright green new foliage completely in full bloom. Each 1-2-inch blossom is a double "hose-in-hose" style that really makes things pop.

One of the most cold-hardy of the dependable Gable Hybrids developed by Mr. Joseph Gable, the Karen Azalea is a broad-leaved evergreen that features bright, pinky-purple blooms. This striking plant could also really light up your entryway as a specimen plant. Your guests will love Karen Azalea's welcoming and warm presence.

Butterflies and hummingbirds buzzing through your garden adore the showy blooms, too! Backed by a rounded flush of green broad-leaved evergreen ornamental flowering shrub that thrives throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9 and is easy to grow. Reaching 2-4 feet in height but 3-5 feet in width at maturity.

Planting and Application:

If you have a Zen garden, add several Karen Azaleas around your meditation spot or around a reflection pool. You often see these springtime beauties paired with Bleeding Heart perennials. Add an amazing designer touch to the smaller, urban landscape, perfectly sized as an accent hedge or screen. Year-round, vibrant hues are perfect for foundation plantings, and a four-season backdrop for smaller shrubs and perennials.

Because this plant thrives in partial share, add a few of these partner plants beneath a shaded canopy, wilderness garden, and where you like to meditate or relax and read. Take time to appreciate the awesome beauty and intricacy of nature. Your Azalea creates an instant focal point to any landscape and works in any style garden. Karen Azaleas look great in large tubs or planters beside a doorway or your patio, as a beautiful specimen shrub, or when planted in a formal row along a walkway for privacy.

• Large, Showy Pinky Purple Blooms
• Produces a Plethora of Flower Trusses!
• Attracts Hummingbirds and Butterflies
• Broad-Leaved Evergreen
• Hedges, Containers, Accents, Specimens & Four Season Color

#ProPlantTips For Care

Rhododendrons and Azaleas love the partial shade, both dappled all-day shade and afternoon shade with morning sun. This plant will need fast-draining, acidic soil for best performance. In nature, they grow in thin soil on mountain slopes. You can replicate these conditions in your landscape by creating a mound or raised bed about 18 inches tall. Adjust the soil with pine needle mulch topdressing, peat moss, and perlite pellets.

When planting Karen Azaleas, "mound them up" when planting to support their shallow root systems. Leave several inches of root ball visible above the ground. Then carefully cover it with a dense layer of pine mulch. Be sure the pine mulch doesn't touch the base of the stem. Only prune flowering broad-leaved evergreen shrubs immediately after the flowers fade to avoid removing next year's spring display!

• Full Sun & Partial Shade/Afternoon Shade
• Enriched Well-Drained Organic Soil
• Regular Moisture & Appreciates Mulched Beds
• Prune Right After Flower
• Heat & Cold Tolerant

If you want a plant you will fall head-over-heels for, try the Karen Azalea. It's sure to become one of your favorites and fill your yard with voluminous blooms. This is a high-demand variety, so please place your order today at NatureHills.com. No need to wait until next year!

Azalea and Rhododendron 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?

Karen Azalea can reach around 2-3 feet tall and spreads 3-4 wide 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.