Stewartstonian Azalea

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

4-5 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

The Stewartstonian Azalea is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that provides year-round visual interest and thrives all the way up in zone 5. Bright, red-orange trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in the spring. Glossy, deep-green foliage provides a nice contrast against the flowers. By fall, the leaves turn a reddish-chocolate hue. Old leaves drop during the winter but will be replaced by mahogany-colored foliage in the spring. This is a slow-growing plant that will be covered in flowers during the spring.

Feature this Azalea in an area where the lovely springtime blooms will be on full display. This stunner is good to feature in a bed, border, or mass planting. At 5 to 6 feet tall and with an upright growth habit, this shrub can make a beautiful hedge or privacy screen. The bold red flowers are a draw for hummingbirds and butterflies. The Stewartstonian Azalea grows as a perennial in USDA zones 5 through 8.

Stewartstonian Azalea Care

The Stewartstonian Azalea is a medium-care plant. Select a good site and mind the soil for best results, but know that this plant does need some help to thrive. Plant this shrub in full sun to partial shade. The Stewartstonian Azalea can take on the full sun in northern areas but will require more shade in southern regions. The soil quality is important for this Azalea cultivar. Use rich, acidic soil that is moist but still allows drainage. Water about one inch per week, taking care to ensure the soil does not dry out. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help hold in the moisture.

Applying organic mulch can help feed the plant and support healthy growth or use a balanced fertilizer in the spring. More advanced gardeners may want to test the soil and apply an acidic fertilizer if the soil pH is too high. Remove dead growth as needed and shape the shrub after the blooms fade away.

Stewartstonian Azalea Spacing

This shrub is an upright, spreading Azalea with woody stems. The Stewartstonian Azalea will grow 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Plants can be grown 2 to 3 feet apart to create a hedge or allow more space so that this beauty will be a focal point.