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Hershey Red Azalea
Rhododendron 'Hershey's Red'
Azalea Hershey Red shrubs are prized for their vibrant, deep red spring blooms and evergreen foliage, offering year-round beauty and seasonal impact. Ideal for foundation plantings, woodland borders, and shaded garden beds, these compact azaleas provide rich color and structure in both formal and naturalistic landscapes.
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Azalea Hershey Red Shrubs
Hershey Red Azalea is a dazzling evergreen shrub celebrated for its rich, vibrant red blooms that create a dramatic display in the spring landscape. Each flower bursts with color, offering a striking contrast against the plant’s dark green, glossy foliage. Compact and mounding in habit, Hershey Red Azalea typically grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, foundation plantings, or as an eye-catching accent in woodland gardens. Its bold floral show is a favorite among gardeners looking to add brilliant spring color to shaded or partially shaded garden spaces.
This cold-hardy azalea variety thrives in acidic, well-drained soil and performs best in partial shade, although it can tolerate morning sun with adequate moisture. Hershey Red is part of the Kurume hybrid group, known for its profuse blooming and dense, compact form. It’s a wonderful addition to mixed shrub plantings, azalea groupings, or underplantings beneath trees, where it brings vibrant color and seasonal interest without demanding high maintenance. Once established, it’s relatively drought-tolerant and resists common pests, making it a dependable landscape performer.
With its vibrant red flowers, evergreen foliage, and graceful structure, Hershey Red Azalea brings lasting beauty and seasonal impact to any garden. Whether you’re designing a formal foundation bed or enhancing a woodland path, this azalea delivers texture, color, and structure year-round. Its pollinator-friendly blooms also attract bees and hummingbirds, adding ecological value to its aesthetic appeal. Perfect for Southern and northern gardens alike, Hershey Red Azalea is a classic choice for timeless spring color.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Classification: | Dwarf, broad leaved evergreen shrub |
| Sunlight: | Part shade to filtered sun |
| Habit: | Upright |
| Foliage: | Deep green |
| Flower Color: | Cherry red |
| Pruning Season: | Prune after flowering |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as in the mixed border, or containers |
How to Care for Hershey Red Azalea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How Do I Plant My Hershey Red Azalea Shrubs?
To plant your Hershey Red Azalea shrubs successfully, start by selecting a location with partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. These azaleas thrive in morning sun with afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight under tree canopies. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball, loosening the surrounding soil to encourage root spread. Place the shrub so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface, then backfill with a mixture of native soil and organic compost. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Once planted, apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your Hershey Red Azalea, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. During the first growing season, water consistently—especially during dry spells—to help establish a strong root system. Avoid planting in heavy clay or poorly draining soils, as azaleas are sensitive to root rot. With proper site preparation and care, Hershey Red Azaleas will flourish, bringing brilliant red blooms and evergreen charm to foundation plantings, shade gardens, or naturalized borders.
How Do I Water My Hershey Red Azalea Shrubs?
Watering your Hershey Red Azalea shrubs correctly is essential for healthy growth, vibrant blooms, and long-term success in the landscape. During the first growing season, keep the soil consistently moist by watering deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and temperature. Focus on soaking the root zone rather than using frequent, shallow watering, which can encourage surface roots and weaken the plant over time. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal issues. Once established, Hershey Red Azaleas become more drought-tolerant but still benefit from supplemental watering during hot, dry periods. Always check the top few inches of soil—if they feel dry to the touch, it’s time to water. Mulching around the base of the shrub helps retain moisture, reduce temperature fluctuations, and minimize weed competition. Proper watering supports lush, green foliage and enhances the brilliant red flower display in spring, ensuring your Hershey Red Azaleas remain a standout feature in shade gardens, woodland borders, and foundation plantings.
How Should I Fertilize My Hershey Red Shrubs?
Fertilizing your Hershey Red Azalea shrubs at the right time and with the right product is key to promoting lush foliage and vibrant spring blooms. Apply a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants—such as a 10-8-6 or similar slow-release blend—in early spring just as new growth appears. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the drip line, avoiding direct contact with the stem, and water thoroughly to help nutrients reach the roots. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Reapply fertilizer after the bloom period if needed, especially if the plant shows signs of nutrient deficiency such as pale leaves or reduced growth. Organic options like composted pine bark or cottonseed meal can also improve soil structure while feeding the plant slowly over time. Be sure not to over-fertilize, as azaleas are sensitive to salt buildup. Consistent feeding with an acid-loving plant fertilizer will keep your Hershey Red Azaleas healthy, ensuring a brilliant floral display and strong performance in woodland borders, shaded beds, and foundation plantings.
How and when should I Prune my Hershey Red Azalea Shrubs?
Pruning your Hershey Red Azalea shrubs should be done shortly after they finish blooming in late spring to early summer. This timing allows you to shape the plant and encourage bushier growth without sacrificing next season’s flower buds, which form on old wood later in the year. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches using clean, sharp pruners. Then selectively trim back leggy or unruly growth to maintain the plant’s natural, mounded shape. Light pruning also improves air circulation and sunlight penetration, promoting healthier foliage and more abundant blooms. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall, as this can remove developing flower buds and reduce next season’s floral display. For mature or overgrown Hershey Red Azaleas, rejuvenation pruning can be done over two to three years by gradually cutting back one-third of the oldest stems to the base each year. Regular pruning encourages compact growth and helps maintain the shrub’s vibrant red blooms as a focal point in foundation plantings, woodland borders, or shaded garden beds. With the right timing and technique, your Hershey Red Azaleas will remain healthy, beautiful, and full of seasonal color.
