King’s Red Exbury Azalea
Rhododendron 'King's Red'
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King’s Red Exbury Azalea - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
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 Highlights
King’s Red Exbury Azalea highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun, Partial Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
Growing Zones
King's Red Exbury Azalea Reigns With Fiery Spring Blooms
The King's Red Exbury Azalea (Rhododendron x 'King's Red') is a jaw-dropping, deciduous Azalea hybrid known for its bold, blazing red flowers that light up the spring garden like royalty returning to court! This early bloomer erupts in vivid clusters of trumpet-shaped, fragrant blossoms before the foliage has fully unfurled—making its floral display even more dramatic! The pollinators will be showing up to court in droves!
Bred from the famous Exbury hybrids developed in England, this beauty is prized for its larger-than-life flowers, reliable bloom power, and old-world charm. Reaching about 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, King's Red has a rounded, mounded form with open branching and seasonally shifting foliage!
Its long, narrow, and pointed (lanceolate) green leaves turn golden or bronzy in autumn before dropping. Though leafless in winter, this shrub makes up for it with a spring spectacle that's anything but modest!
Key Features
- Large, fiery-red, trumpet-shaped blooms in spring
- Fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies
- Grows 4-6 feet tall and wide with a mounded shape
- Flowering shrub with attractive fall foliage
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
- Part of the Exbury hybrid group, known for vigor and bloom size
Landscaping Uses
This upright deciduous shrub reaches about 5 to 6 feet tall and wide, ideal for adding bold seasonal color to shady or woodland garden areas. King's Red can be nestled into understory gardens or foundation plantings or used as a bold specimen. As a member of the Rhododendron family, it shares lineage with other showy Azaleas and Rhododendrons that dazzle from spring to fall.
- Woodland borders or shady foundations
- Mass plantings for dramatic spring color
- Understory planting beneath taller trees
- Accent in a Cottage Garden
- Container specimen (with acidic potting mix)
- Pollinator gardens to attract hummingbirds and bees
Care and Maintenance
King's Red is a deciduous woody shrub with a love of slightly acidic soils and some shelter from harsh afternoon sun. It benefits from thoughtful pruning just after flowering to maintain its shape.
Exbury Azaleas are beloved for their resilience and adaptability, and King's Red is no exception. Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, it thrives in partial shade to dappled sun and handles humid southern summers with grace. Though it appreciates moist, well-drained soil, it tolerates cooler northern climes
- Planting Time: Best in early spring or fall
- Sun Needs: Morning sun or partial shade; avoid hot afternoon sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, acidic, well-drained soil; dislikes alkaline or heavy clay
- Moisture Needs: Consistent moisture; mulch helps retain soil hydration
- Arborist Mulch: A 3-4 inch layer of bark mulch is highly beneficial for Azaleas with their shallow roots and a layer of compost improves soil health and moisture retention.
- Fertilization Needs: Acid-loving plant food in early spring after flowering
- Pruning Info: Prune immediately after bloom; blooms on old wood
- Renewal Pruning: Every few years to rejuvenate older stems
- Special Perks/Growing Tips:
- Protect from strong winds and winter sunscald in colder zones
- Deer resistant
A Regal Red Bloom Fit for a King
If you're after a showstopper that bursts into bloom before most of the garden has even yawned awake, King's Red Exbury Azalea is your fiery herald of spring. With flower clusters that resemble glowing torches and a noble growth habit, this shrub brings majesty and joy wherever it's planted.
Order now at Nature Hills Nursery and we'll deliver to your doorstep at the proper planting time for your growing zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Exbury Azaleas evergreen or deciduous?
Exbury Azaleas, including King's Red, are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves in fall.
How big does King's Red Exbury Azalea get?
It typically grows 5 to 6 feet tall and wide, with a rounded, upright form.
Does King's Red rebloom?
No, this is a once-a-year spring bloomer, but the show is worth the wait!
Is King's Red Azalea fragrant?
Yes, it has a light, pleasant fragrance that adds to its garden charm.
Can I grow King's Red in containers?
Yes, with acidic potting mix and proper drainage, it makes a stunning potted accent.
Does King's Red attract pollinators?
Absolutely—it's a hummingbird magnet in spring and bees will also flock to its blooms.
