Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron 'Glamour')
Rhododendron 'Glamour' is a stunning Evergreen azalea, blooming brilliant rose pink to red in spring. Ideal for shady borders in zones 5-8.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Evergreen azalea ‘Glamour’ stands out in the landscape with its vigorous spreading habit and vibrant spring color display. Developed as a Glenn Dale hybrid, this Rhododendron cultivar offers dense, handsome evergreen foliage, which often develops attractive bronze highlights during colder winter months. Gardeners prize Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ for its reliable performance in partial shade conditions, making it a cornerstone for shaded woodland gardens or formal foundation plantings.
As a medium-sized broadleaf evergreen, the mature size of Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ typically reaches 4 to 6 feet in both height and spread. Its value lies not only in its striking flower show of brilliant rose pink to rose red blooms in April and May but also in its year-round structure. Planting this Evergreen azalea requires attention to soil pH and moisture retention to ensure long-term success, but the reward is a dependable splash of color and texture.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ericaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Rose pink to rose red
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ should be done in autumn or early spring, ensuring the location provides protection from drying winds and intense afternoon sun. Optimal growing conditions require acidic, organically rich, humusy soil that remains medium moist but drains exceptionally well. Due to the shallow, fibrous root systems common to azaleas, consider raised beds if you have heavy clay soils to prevent fatal root rot; never cultivate deeply around the base of the plant.
Consistent, medium watering is crucial, especially during dry spells, as shallow roots must never be allowed to dry out. Maintain the preferred soil pH range of 5.0 to 5.5 by amending the soil as necessary with sulfur or iron sulfate to acidify. Apply a deep layer of organic mulch, such as pine needles or wood chips, around the shallow roots to moderate soil temperature and retain moisture.
Deadheading spent flower clusters promptly after blooming promotes better energy allocation for next year’s buds. Avoid planting Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ near walnut trees, as their roots release juglone, a compound toxic to most rhododendrons. If summer heat is intense, morning sun followed by afternoon shade provides the best balance, preventing leaf scorch.
Landscape Uses
Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ excels in structured or naturalized settings where dappled shade prevails. Due to its upright, spreading form, it makes an excellent choice for forming an evergreen shrub border or providing year-round interest in mixed borders. Its formality also lends itself well to foundation plantings near homes or entryways.
When massed together, several Evergreen azaleas, including Rhododendron ‘Glamour’, create a dramatic sweep of spring color. For woodland gardens or shade gardens, pair them with acid-loving companions like ferns, hostas, and camellias. When considering height, ensure companion plants do not aggressively shade out this medium-sized shrub, allowing it the necessary light filtered through deciduous tree canopies.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Genus name comes from the Greek words rhodo meaning rose and dendron meaning tree. Transferred from the Greek name for Nerium oleander.‘Glamour’ is a Glenn Dale hybrid developed by Benjamin Y. Morrison of the United States Department of Agriculture using a deep salmon form of Rhododendron indicum as the seed parent and Rhododendron ‘Hazel Dawson’ as the pollen parent. Each inflorescence has 1 to 3 single, 2 to 3 in. Wide flowers that are brilliant rose pink to rose red. Its narrow, dark green leaves have bronze highlights in winter. ‘Glamour’ is an erect to broad, spreading shrub that grows 4 to 6 ft. Tall and wide.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
Potential Problems
Rhododendrons and azaleas are susceptible to many insect and disease problems, requiring vigilance from the gardener. Common insect pests include scale, lacebugs, and aphids, while fungal issues like root rot and powdery mildew pose significant disease threats. Chlorosis, the yellowing of leaves, often signals an iron deficiency caused by soil pH being too high, which prevents nutrient uptake.
Prevention is the best defense for this Evergreen azalea; maintain the correct acidic soil pH and excellent drainage to keep the plant vigorous. Inspect foliage regularly for early signs of pest infestation and treat promptly with appropriate horticultural oils or insecticides. Since root rot is fatal, ensure no water pools around the base, especially in heavy clay soils.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron ‘Glamour’) suitable for?
Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ is well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron ‘Glamour’) grow?
This plant is a medium shrub, typically achieving a mature height between 4 and 6 feet and a corresponding spread of 4 to 6 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ need?
Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ thrives best in part shade, preferring dappled light or high open shade to prevent leaf scorch in hot afternoon sun.
When does Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron ‘Glamour’) bloom?
This variety enchants gardeners when it blooms from April to May, featuring striking rose pink to rose red flowers.
Conclusion
Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ offers exceptional value as a dense, evergreen foundation plant that delivers spectacular rose-pink blooms in late spring. Maintaining its ideal acidic soil and ensuring excellent drainage are key to successfully growing this Evergreen azalea. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan your planting location now to capitalize on the year-round structure and seasonal splendor of Rhododendron ‘Glamour’.
Companion Planting
Companion planting around Rhododendron ‘Glamour’ should prioritize plants that share the need for acidic, well-drained soil and thrive in part-shade conditions. Excellent groundcovers that won’t compete heavily with the azalea’s shallow roots include various types of acid-loving ferns, such as Japanese Painted Ferns or Autumn Ferns. These offer textural contrast beneath the shrub’s canopy.
For seasonal color, consider interplanting spring bulbs like Daffodils or Snowdrops, which bloom before the azalea fully leafs out and die back before the peak summer heat arrives. In woodland garden settings, pairing this Evergreen azalea with Japanese Maples or understory Dogwoods offers dappled shade protection and complementary forms. Remember to avoid invasive or competitive shallow-rooted plants near your Rhododendron ‘Glamour’.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring care focuses heavily on bloom appreciation; immediately after the rose pink flowers fade in May, begin the process of deadheading if practical to ensure a strong bud set for the following year. As summer approaches, diligently monitor moisture levels; while ‘Glamour’ requires medium water, deep, infrequent watering is better than shallow daily sprinkles to encourage deeper root growth.
Summer maintenance involves applying a fresh layer of organic mulch, ensuring it does not pile up against the crown of the shrub, which can promote rot. In the fall, this Rhododendron cultivar displays lovely bronze tints on its dark green leaves, signaling readiness for winter dormancy. Reduce watering as temperatures drop, but ensure the root ball is adequately moist before the ground freezes solid in zones 5 and 6.
