Azalea hybrid 'Girard's Purple'

Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during bloom season.

Provides shelter for small birds and beneficial insects.

Foliage is mildly toxic, so it’s generally avoided by deer and rabbits.

Evergreen year-round in most regions, with the heaviest display of color in May.

Spring: Peak bloom of vivid purple flowers.

Summer: Glossy green foliage provides structure.

Fall/Winter: Leaves develop bronzy or purplish tones for winter interest.

Woodland gardens, shaded borders, foundation plantings, naturalized settings, acid-soil landscapes, mixed shrub borders

• Evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on winter severity.
  
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  Leaves are elliptical, leathery, and glossy dark green, about 1–2 inches long.
  
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  In colder climates, foliage may take on a purplish-bronze hue in winter for added seasonal color.
  

Produces large, vibrant purple-lavender blooms in mid to late spring.

Flowers are funnel-shaped, about 2½ inches wide, with slightly wavy edges and a rich, velvety texture.

Blooms appear in dense clusters that nearly cover the plant, creating a brilliant splash of color.

• Best planted in spring or early fall, when soil is warm and moisture is consistent.
  
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  Select a site with well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0) enriched with organic material such as pine bark, peat moss, or composted leaves.
  
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  Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep; set the plant so the top of the root ball is slightly above ground level.
  
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  Backfill with a mix of native soil and organic matter, firm gently, and water deeply.
  
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  Apply a 2–3 inch layer of pine bark mulch to conserve moisture, regulate temperature, and maintain acidity—keeping mulch off the stem.
  

• Minimal pruning required; prune immediately after flowering to shape and remove dead or weak stems.
  
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  Avoid pruning in late summer or fall as it removes next year’s buds.
  
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  Remove spent blooms (deadhead) to improve airflow and encourage compact growth.
  

Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy; azaleas are shallow-rooted and sensitive to drying out.

Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on weather and soil type.

Mulching helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool.

Use rainwater or slightly acidic water if possible, as hard water can raise soil pH over time.

• Thrives in partial shade with filtered morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon rays.
  
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  Too much shade can reduce bloom density, while too much direct sun can fade flowers or scorch foliage.
  
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  Ideal under open-canopy trees or along the north or east side of buildings.
  

• Primarily ornamental; not cultivated for harvest.
  
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  May produce small, inconspicuous seed capsules after flowering, though seeds are often sterile.
  
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Apply fertilizer in spring after flowering using a slow-release, acid-loving plant food (formulated for azaleas, rhododendrons, or camellias).

Avoid heavy feeding or high-nitrogen blends which promote foliage growth over blooms.

Supplement with iron sulfate or elemental sulfur if leaves show yellowing (chlorosis).

Maintain soil pH regularly to preserve optimal nutrient absorption.

Insect-pollinated (entomophilous)—visited by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

As a hybrid cultivar, it is generally self-fertile but rarely produces viable seed; grown primarily for ornamental use.

Companion shrubs: Rhododendron, Pieris japonica, Kalmia latifolia, Ilex crenata, or dwarf conifers like Thuja ‘Danica’.

Perennial companions: Hosta, Heuchera, Tiarella, Ferns, and Astilbe for texture contrast.

Other acid-loving bloomers: Hydrangea macrophylla, Camellia japonica, and Leucothoe for layered interest and extended bloom time.