Renee Michelle Azalea
Azalea x'Renee Michelle' (Girard hybrid)
Provided for consumer information—Monrovia is not currently growing this plant.
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Hardy azalea thrives in cold climates! Very deep pink, ruffled flowers have a dark pink spotted throat. Premier flowering shrub for use as hedge, in borders or in massed planting for impressive color display. Semi-evergreen.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | az-ZAY-lee-uh |
| Key feature: | Spring Flowering |
| Plant types: | Shrub, Rhododendron |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 6 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Filtered sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing to 3 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Hummingbirds |
| Landscape use: | Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Pink |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 0203 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.
Design Ideas
A heavy bloomer for spicy early spring foundation beds out front of the house. Spot into mixed borders for welcome spring color addition. Use for fleshing out partially shaded bends beneath tree groves. A good selection for sideyards with enough light and courtyards in the South.. Important component of the Japanese tea garden to signify the season of spring with its blooms. Newly discovered for modern architecture as a single bold shrub for enclosed outdoor spaces.
Companion Plants
Azaleas are exceptional with Japanese inspired plants such as Kwanzan Flowering Cherry, (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'), Waterfall Japanese Maple, (Acer palmatum 'Waterfall') and Dwarf Whitestripe Bamboo, (Sasella masumuneana albostriata). Exceptional with ferns such as small Japanese Painted Fern, (Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum') and Australian Sword Fern, (Nephrolepis obliterata).
History
This variety is descended from the Kempheri Hybrid Azaleas which originated with R. kempheri, native to the mountains of Japan. The species was first introduced to America by the Arnold Arboretum in 1892. Early hybridization of this species began around 1900 in Holland. This is one of the Girard Hybrids developed and introduced by Girard Nurseries in Geneva, Ohio.
Lore
In its habitat of origin on volcano slopes of northern Japan, these are known as "torch azaleas" due to the naturally intense coloring.
Hardy azalea thrives in cold climates! Very deep pink, ruffled flowers have a dark pink spotted throat. Premier flowering shrub for use as hedge, in borders or in massed planting for impressive color display. Semi-evergreen.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.
Design Ideas
A heavy bloomer for spicy early spring foundation beds out front of the house. Spot into mixed borders for welcome spring color addition. Use for fleshing out partially shaded bends beneath tree groves. A good selection for sideyards with enough light and courtyards in the South.. Important component of the Japanese tea garden to signify the season of spring with its blooms. Newly discovered for modern architecture as a single bold shrub for enclosed outdoor spaces.
Companion Plants
Azaleas are exceptional with Japanese inspired plants such as Kwanzan Flowering Cherry, (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'), Waterfall Japanese Maple, (Acer palmatum 'Waterfall') and Dwarf Whitestripe Bamboo, (Sasella masumuneana albostriata). Exceptional with ferns such as small Japanese Painted Fern, (Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum') and Australian Sword Fern, (Nephrolepis obliterata).
History
This variety is descended from the Kempheri Hybrid Azaleas which originated with R. kempheri, native to the mountains of Japan. The species was first introduced to America by the Arnold Arboretum in 1892. Early hybridization of this species began around 1900 in Holland. This is one of the Girard Hybrids developed and introduced by Girard Nurseries in Geneva, Ohio.
Lore
In its habitat of origin on volcano slopes of northern Japan, these are known as "torch azaleas" due to the naturally intense coloring.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | az-ZAY-lee-uh |
| Key feature: | Spring Flowering |
| Plant types: | Shrub, Rhododendron |
| Garden style: | Asian/Zen |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 6 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Filtered sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing to 3 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Flower attribute: | Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Hummingbirds |
| Landscape use: | Woodland Garden |
| Flower color: | Pink |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 0203 |
