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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 3 to 5 ft
Width: 3 to 5 ft
Flower color: Bright fuchsia to deep pink-purple blooms, often with a rich, vibrant tone
Foliage color: Evergreen glossy green leaves that may take on reddish tones in cool weather
Bloom time: Mid spring
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; minimal pruning needed beyond light shaping after flowering
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Fragrant shows of spring flowers attract pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter and cover for birds and small wildlife

Shrubs

Rhododendron x 'Girard's Fuchsia'

Girard's Fuchsia Azalea

Rhododendron x 'Girard's Fuchsia' is an evergreen azalea with dense, glossy, green foliage that can take on reddish winter tones. In mid spring, usually April into May, it opens generous clusters of ruffled, wavy flowers in bright fuchsia to pink-purple shades. Individual blooms can reach about 3 inches across, and the color holds well through spring weather.

This cultivar comes from the Ohio-based Girard Nursery breeding program in the late 1940's, developed to broaden hardiness and garden reliability.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Cottage Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Aster · Firethorn · Sneezeweed · Blue grama grass · Hebe · Manzanita

Design tip

Give ‘Girard’s Fuchsia’ enough breathing room for its broad, well-branched form to read clearly rather than merging into neighboring shrubs. Its intense spring color can carry a planting on its own, making quieter companions especially effective around it.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)