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Hershey Red Azalea
Rhododendron 'Hershey's Red'
Hershey Red Azalea is what I call a “confidence shrub”—compact, evergreen, and absolutely electric in spring with cherry-red blooms. If you want foundation plantings that look finished (not overgrown), this 3–4 foot azalea hits the sweet spot for size, structure, and shade-garden performance. Just give it part shade, good drainage, and prune right after it flowers, and you’ll get that classic azalea show year after year.
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Buy Hershey Red Azalea for Show-Stopping Spring Color in a Compact Evergreen Shrub
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 |
| Bloom Time / Color | Spring; cherry red |
| Soil Condition: | Any well-drained soil (best with acidic, organic richness) |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Wildlife Value | Pollinator-friendly blooms (bees/hummingbirds) |
| Landscape Uses: | Mixed borders, shade gardens, foundation plantings, containers |
How to Care for Hershey Red Azalea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Hershey red Azalea plant for years to come!
How should I plant Hershey Red Azalea?
Select a site with partial shade to filtered sunlight and well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Loosen the surrounding soil and set the shrub so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill, firm lightly, and water thoroughly to allow the roots to settle. Azaleas perform best when the soil is organically rich and on the acidic side, so mix in compost and keep a mulch ring (2–3") to stabilize moisture and temperature. Planting in spring or early fall is ideal, and avoid heavy clay pockets or low areas that stay wet.
How often should I water Hershey Red Azalea after planting?
During the first growing season, keep the soil consistently moist by watering deeply once or twice a week, adjusting the frequency according to rainfall and heat. Aim water at the root zone (using a soaker hose/drip system is ideal) rather than wetting foliage, which can invite disease. Once established, it becomes more resilient but still benefits from supplemental watering during hot, dry periods—especially when buds are forming. A refreshed mulch layer helps reduce moisture swings and keeps shallow azalea roots happier.
When should I fertilize Hershey Red Azalea?
Feed in early spring as new growth begins, using a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants (GGD notes an azalea/rhododendron-type blend such as 10-8-6). Water in well and avoid piling fertilizer against the stem. If you prefer a gentler approach, top-dress with compost and let mulch break down slowly to build healthier soil over time. Consistent soil health usually equals better leaf color and more reliable flowering than “pushing” growth with heavy feeding.
When and how should I prune Hershey Red Azalea?
Prune right after flowering. Hershey Red (like most evergreen azaleas) sets next year’s buds on older wood, so late-season pruning can reduce bloom. Start by removing dead/damaged stems, then lightly shape the plant to maintain a natural, mounded form. For older, woody plants, rejuvenation pruning is best done gradually over a couple of seasons—removing a portion of the oldest stems each year—so you keep flowers while restoring vigor. Keep pruning clean and light, and you’ll get a denser shrub with better airflow and healthier foliage.
