Hersey Red Azalea

The Hersey Red Azalea is an outstanding shrub with some of the showiest springtime blooms. The hose-in-hose flowers are tubular and appear as one flower inside another; the resulting blooms are frilly and flashy. The Rhododendron 'Hershey's Red' flowers are a vivid cherry-red, which turns up the drama of this shrub. Dark green foliage nicely complements the saturated flower color.

This Azalea makes a beautiful foundation planting. Create a medium-sized hedge big enough to border a deck, patio, driveway, or walkway without completely blocking sightlines. The hedge will define a space without overwhelming the area. This beauty is a broadleaf evergreen, so the leaves stay in place throughout the fall and winter. Pollinators also enjoy the lovely flowers.

Hersey Red Azalea Care

Grow the Hersey Red Azalea in acidic, humusy soil with high organic content. The ideal soil will have medium moisture but promote drainage. Part shade is best, so select a spot near a shade tree or in the shadows of a building. This Azalea can handle morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the soil damp. A layer of mulch will slow water evaporation and prevent weeds. Apply fertilizer in the spring to encourage plenty of blooms.

Prune the shrub to maintain a desired shape after the flowers fade. Azaleas do not often need special winter care, but plants in wind-swept areas benefit from being wrapped in landscape fabric.

Hersey Red Azalea Spacing

The Hersey Red Azalea stands 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. Plant shrubs 4 to 6 feet apart when creating a dense planting or hedge.