Bixby Azalea

With its stunning, red flowers and easy-going nature, the Bixby Azalea is a perfect small shrub for the garden. Producing an abundance of deep-red blooms in May, this azalea really will be the star of the show. As a dwarf cultivar, the Bixby Azalea will grow to no more than two feet high, making it perfect for smaller spaces or a container. A tough azalea, this shrub is suitable for growing in zones 5 to 8. Once settled into a border or planter, the Bixby Azalea requires little care and is cold tolerant. With its compact habit you neednt worry that it will take over, and it only requires minimal pruning once a year. The Bixby Azalea is generally evergreen, but in colder parts, this azalea may lose some of its leaves in the winter. Loved by pollinators and especially butterflies, this shrub will attract lots of wildlife when in bloom. Bixby looks great when planted in groups or as a single specimen shrub. Bixby Azalea Care As with all azaleas, the Bixby Azalea likes to be grown in a neutral to acidic soil. Preferring a soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged, good drainage is a must. For the best blooms, this shrub should be planted in a spot where it will receive full sun to partial shade. Although not essential, to maintain plant health and encourage flowering, a fertilizer specifically formulated for azaleas can be applied as per the manufacturers instructions. The Bixby Azalea is wonderfully low maintenance and only needs a light annual pruning to keep it to shape. However, timing is key and any pruning must be performed immediately after flowering, so the following years blooms are not compromised. Come winter, a layer of mulch can be added to protect the roots, and any container-grown plants can be brought under cover to avoid the worst of the weather. Bixby Azalea Spacing The Bixby Azalea is slow growing and will eventually reach a maximum size of two feet high with a four foot spread. If planting out in groups, a spacing of three to four feet is recommended.