Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron 'Girard's Salmon')
Rhododendron 'Girard's Salmon' is a vibrant Evergreen azalea with showy, salmon blooms in spring, ideal for medium-sun locations.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ is a highly regarded broadleaf evergreen cultivar, commonly known as an Evergreen azalea, celebrated for its reliable performance and striking spring color display. This hybrid produces copious amounts of showy, salmon-colored flowers, adding significant visual weight to the garden from April through May. Gardeners value this plant for its dense, glossy, dark green foliage which provides excellent winter structure.
As a mid-season bloomer, Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ fits perfectly into mixed borders or as a formal, colorful hedge. It typically matures to a compact 3 to 4 feet in height and spread, making it manageable for foundation plantings or woodland margins. Successful cultivation relies heavily on replicating its preferred slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil conditions.
This specific Evergreen azalea cultivar, developed by Girard Nurseries, offers dependable beauty in USDA Zones 6 through 8. Ensuring protection from harsh winds and avoiding competition from certain tree root systems are key practices for maintaining the vigor and vibrant bloom of your Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ericaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Salmon
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The most critical factor for successful growth of Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ is soil preparation. Plant this Evergreen azalea in locations receiving part shade, ideally benefiting from morning sun followed by afternoon protection from intense heat. The soil must be acidic (pH 5.0 to 5.5), organically rich, humusy, and crucially, possess excellent drainage. If you have heavy clay soil, establishing raised beds is highly recommended to prevent root rot, as these plants dislike “wet feet.”
Watering should be consistent, maintaining medium moisture levels; the shallow, fibrous root systems of azaleas must never be allowed to dry out completely. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch, such as bark or pine needles, helps stabilize soil temperature and conserve precious moisture. Avoid cultivating deeply around the base, as this disturbs the sensitive roots.
Pruning is straightforward for Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’. Immediately after the salmon flowers fade in late spring, perform light shearing or ‘pinching’ to remove spent flower clusters. This deadheading encourages better bud set for next year. Be aware that this hybrid is winter hardy to Zone 5B, but foliage can suffer burn in very cold winters. Never plant Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ near the drip line of walnut trees due to their sensitivity to juglone toxins.
Landscape Uses
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ excels in numerous landscape applications due to its evergreen nature and bright spring flowers. It is highly effective when planted in mass groupings or used as a specimen plant for focal color contrast against darker green evergreens. Many gardeners utilize this Evergreen azalea for creating formal or informal shrub borders, where its consistent height and spread (3-4 feet) create excellent mid-layer structure.
This variety is perfectly suited for woodland gardens or shady areas where filtered light prevails. Its ability to thrive beneath taller canopy trees (provided the roots are not competing) makes it a wonderful woodland margin plant. Furthermore, its excellent texture allows it to transition beautifully into foundation plantings near homes.
For design coherence, pair Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ with acid-loving companions like Hosta, Ferns, or smaller camellias. Its salmon hue contrasts beautifully year-round with dark green or blue-toned foliage. When used as a formal hedge, consistent shearing after blooming will maintain a dense, tidy appearance.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rhododendron is a genus that includes azaleas, known for their spectacular spring floral displays and attractive year-round foliage in evergreen types. The ‘Girard’s Salmon’ specifically is an evergreen hybrid developing to 3-4 feet tall, offering large salmon flowers mid-season. Azaleas like this one develop as multi-stemmed plants and retain their glossy dark green leaves through winter, contrasting beautifully against snow or dormant perennials.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
Potential Problems
Rhododendrons and azaleas are susceptible to various insect and disease pressures if cultural requirements are ignored. Common insect pests include lacebugs and scale, while diseases like root rot (often due to poor drainage) and leaf spot can cause significant decline. A key indicator of distress is chlorosis—yellowing leaves—which usually signals an iron deficiency caused by soil pH being too high.
Preventative care is the best defense for Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’. Ensure the soil pH remains acidic (5.0-5.5) to allow nutrient uptake. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging the roots, and apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture. A healthy plant positioned correctly in the right environment will experience limited issues with pests and diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ suitable for?
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 8.
How large does Evergreen azalea grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 3 and 4 feet, with a spread of 3 to 4 feet.
When does Evergreen azalea bloom?
The beautiful, salmon-colored flowers of this plant appear reliably from April to May.
What sun exposure does Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ need?
This Evergreen azalea thrives best in part shade, preferring dappled light or morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Conclusion
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ stands out as a reliable, visually stunning choice for adding evergreen structure and vibrant salmon color to temperate gardens. Its manageable size makes the Evergreen azalea versatile for borders, hedges, or woodland settings. To ensure success with your Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’, focus on providing acidic, humid, well-drained soil and planning its location away from damaging afternoon sun or walnut tree roots.
Companion Planting
Selecting the right neighbors enhances the aesthetic and cultural success of your Evergreen azalea. Since Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ demands acidic, humus-rich soil, companion plants should share these preferences. Excellent partners include native woodland species like native ferns, which thrive in similar shade conditions and textures.
Flowering companions that bloom before or after the azalea’s April-May flush can extend the season of interest. Consider planting early spring bulbs like Daffodils (Narcissus) or later-blooming Hydrangeas or woodland Phlox. Ensure companions do not create dense competing root mats right at the surface, respecting the shallow roots of the azalea.
Consider groundcovers that benefit from slight shade and acidic soil, such as low-growing Juniper varieties or creeping thyme, provided they are not overly aggressive. Avoid alkaline-loving plants near your Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’ to maintain the critical soil pH balance required for a robust display.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Winter/Early Spring: Inspect foliage for winter burn damage. If necessary, apply a light acidifying fertilizer tailored for rhododendrons, carefully avoiding direct contact with stems. Ensure mulch layer is still adequate.
Late Spring/Early Summer (Post-Bloom): This is crucial for Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Salmon’. Immediately deadhead spent flowers to encourage next year’s buds. If supplemental water is needed during dry springs, water deeply near the root zone.
Mid-Summer: Focus on moisture management. Summer heat demands consistent, deep watering to keep the shallow roots hydrated. Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it several inches away from the main trunk flare.
Fall: Avoid heavy fertilization, allowing the plant to harden off for winter. If planting new specimens, fall is a good time if root balls remain moist. Protect young plants from deer browsing if that pressure is present in your area.
