Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Gibraltar Azalea, Gibraltar Rhododendron, Deciduous Azalea, or Azalea Gibraltar is a deciduous azalea that blooms in early to mid-May with fragrant orange, flowers that sometimes bear contrasting splotches of color. These large, ruffled trusses are an incredible focal point in a spring garden and offer a unique, colorful addition to the landscape. The foliage of the Gibraltar Azalea delights in more than one season by turning a brilliant orange-red to burgundy in the fall. It stands at a height of 4 to 6 feet with a spread of 3 to 5 feet.
Native to the United States, the Gibraltar Azalea is an upright growing, low-maintenance option, great for anyone looking for a statement piece in their spring landscape. They are very hardy plants that attract spring butterflies, hummingbirds, and critical pollinators. Although beautiful, the Gibraltar Azalea is considered a poisonous plant. Keep them out of reach of children and pets who could accidentally ingest them.
Gibraltar Azalea Care
The Gibraltar Azalea is ideal in areas with full to partial sunlight or dappled shade. Plant them beneath tall trees in hot areas to ensure the summer heat does not cause their leaf centers to bleach or burn. However, your Azaleas should not be in full shade. Too much shade can make your Azaleas lanky with fewer blooms. You should water them regularly. The ideal soil for Gibraltar Azaleas is acidic and well-drained.
Feed your established Azaleas with acidic fertilizer before bloom in early spring, then again when new leaves begin to grow, just as the blooms are fading. If your soil is clay or alkaline, you should plant your Gibraltar Azaleas in a raised bed. Plant with the rootball slightly above soil level. These plants are surface rooters and benefit from mulching at the base to retain moisture.
Prune your Azaleas while they are dormant and leafless. Azaleas do not have to be pruned as carefully as rhododendrons. The leaves are evenly spaced along the branches, with a bud at the base of each leaf. New growth will sprout anywhere you cut, so don’t be afraid to trim them well. They are susceptible to mildew and root weevils, so watch your plant for signs of distress.
Gibraltar Azalea Spacing
Gibraltar Azaleas are especially beautiful when planted in groups. They are very hardy and can even be sheared into a formal hedge. Space at least 3 feet apart, center on center for a hedge. Or 5 feet apart, center on center, for a mass planting. That will allow enough space for the roots to grow and for air circulation between the plants.
Gibraltar Azalea Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 4-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-5 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Orange
- Flower Description
- Bright Orange
- Bloom Time
- Mid-Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Gibraltar Azalea
- Botanical Name
- AZALEA 'GIBRALTAR'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!