‘The Robe’ Azalea

Azalea x ‘The Robe’

Other Names: The Robe Girard’s Azalea, The Robe Evergreen Azalea

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 3-4′

Width at Maturity: 3-4′

Spacing: 3′ for solid hedges; 7’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Rounded Mound

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Brilliant Rose-Pink

Flower Size: 3″

Flowering Period: Mid Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Variegated Dark Green and Silver-White

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun or Dappled Shade

Water Needs: Average, lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low, Average

Attracts: Butterflies, Visual Attention

Resistances: Rabbit, Shade

Description

A spectacular Girard Hybrid with both colorful foliage and flowers, ‘The Robe’ is an evergreen Azalea featuring abundant clusters of large, brilliant rose-pink flowers in spring that contrast and stand out beautifully against the glossy, variegated white and deep green leaves. As with other Girard’s, The Robe is exceptionally cold hardy to USDA Zone 5 where winter low temperatures can dip to -20F. A beauty and conversation piece that will provide year round interest and color to light up partially shaded areas in garden beds or containers.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 3 to 4 feet tall and equally as wide, ‘The Robe’ Azalea is idea for use as an accent, in groupings or as a colorful hedge in partially shade landscape and woodland borders. Also nice in home foundation plantings. Butterflies love the flowers, and blooming branches serve very well for cutting to create stunning indoor floral arrangements. A fine addition to Azalea and Rhododendron gardens, pink theme gardens, butterfly gardens, Asian gardens and cottage gardens.

Spacing: 3 feet apart for solid hedges; 7’+ for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Robe Azalea is easy to grow in a moist but well-drained, organically rich, acidic soil of average or better fertility and part shade. Morning and evening sun are fine but provide some filtered sun or shade during the mid afternoon hours.

Helpful Articles

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