Ria Hardijzer Azaleadendron

Technically this is not an azalea, but an Azaleadendron. Azaleadendrons are hybrids between azaleas and rhododendrons. In this case, the azalea parent is evergreen, although they can also often be deciduous. Ria Hardijzer resembles an azalea with smaller leaves, and stays smaller in size as well. The flowers are very showy, being vivid purplish red with faint spots in very compact trusses of 20 or more flowers each. When in full bloom the show is quite intense, with the foliage almost completely hidden. The plant can look a bit sparse in winter, but comes back lush and full after flowering. It is worth pruning hard after flowering to keep the plant bushy and attractive. It is quite hardy, to -5 deg F, but dislikes too much heat. 3 ft tall and 4 ft wide in 10 years.