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Azalea Karen
Rhododendron x 'Karen'
Rhododendron Karen is known to be one of the hardiest shrubs of evergreen azaleas. This azalea is a heavy spring bloomer.
This product is discontinued and new inventory will not be arriving.
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Azalea Karen Shrubs for Sale Online
Azalea Karen Shrubs are hardy and reliable evergreen shrubs with their rich lavender-purple blooms on this upright shrub. These shrubs are known as one of the hardiest evergreen azaleas. Their foliage shows a vibrant red hue in fall and winter but still keeps its green foliage.
Karen Shrubs are suited for foundation planting and border groupings. A consistent bloomer can grow up to 3 to 4 feet high and 4 to 5 feet in width when mature. Plant this shrub as a border or hedge in your landscape.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 4 feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 feet |
| Classification: | Upright, Broad leaved evergreen shrub |
| Sunlight: | Part Shade to filtered sun |
| Habit: | Upright |
| Foliage: | Dark Green with red hues in winter |
| Flower Color: | Lavender |
| Pruning Season: | Pruning not needed |
| 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 Azalea Karen
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!
How do I water Azalea Karen Shrubs?
After backfilling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost, give the Azalea Karen Shrubs a deep watering. Do not rush this process. Most of the water you put on the plant at first will run away from the plant until the soil is soaked. A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. For example, when watering a one-gallon pot, do not stop until you count to 5. For a three-gallon container, you would count to 15 before stopping watering. For the first week, check the plant daily and then every other day. Be sure to water using the counting method for the first few weeks.
How do I fertilize Azalea Karen Shrubs?
Azalea Karen Shrubs grow best when fertilized lightly in the spring once frost has passed with a well-balanced, extended-release fertilizer such as Espoma Holly-tone. Fertilize Azalea Karen again 6 to 8 weeks later to encourage extra flowers or faster growth of young shrubs. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully with Azalea Shrubs. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots produces excellent results and improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect. If chemical fertilizers are used on your Azalea Shrubs, applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once a year is probably the simplest solution.
How Do I Plant My Karen Azalea Shrub?
We suggest when planting your newly purchased Azalea Karen Shrubs that you dig a hole twice as wide as the root system but not deeper. A good rule is that you should still be able to see the soil the plant was grown in after back-filling the hole. Depending on the quality of your existing soil you may need to add a locally sourced compost or topsoil to the back-fill soil. We do not recommend using straight topsoil or compost as a back-fill soil because more times than not these products will retain entirely to much moisture and will cause the root system to rot. Adding compost or topsoil will help the young feeder roots of Azalea Karen Shrubs to spread through the loose, nutrient rich soil, much easier than if you used solely the existing soil which more times than not will be hard and compacted.
How do I mulch Azalea Karen Shrubs?
We highly recommend that you mulch your Azalea Karen Shrubs with either a ground hardwood mulch or a ground cypress mulch depending on your local availability. Any mulch will do, but cypress or hardwood mulch will be of a higher quality. They will also provide better nutrition overall as they break down. Mulching helps keep weeds away that compete with your new investment for water and nutrients. A 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch is sufficient but remember to take care not to cover any part of the stem with mulch. It's better to leave a one-inch gap of space between the mulch and the stem or trunk of the plant.
