shrub RHS Award

Coral Bells Azalea

Name: Coral Bells Azalea
Brand: Rhododendron
Availability: InStock

Rhododendron 'Coral Bells'

$79.95

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

42 inches

Width

42 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Hybrid (Japan)

Toxicity

All parts are toxic if ingested.

The Story

Plant Bio

'Coral Bells' (also known as 'Kirin') is a classic Kurume hybrid evergreen azalea, known for its dense, twiggy growth and incredible profusion of small flowers. It forms a compact, mounding shrub. This cultivar is famous for its 'hose-in-hose' flowers, which have a second corolla inside the first, giving them a double appearance. The flowers are a beautiful coral-pink and are so numerous they can completely hide the foliage.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides an absolutely breathtaking spring display, with the plant becoming a solid mass of coral-pink, hose-in-hose flowers. Its fine texture and dense, mounding habit are attractive year-round.

Its predictable size and shape make it ideal for formal designs, low hedges, and foundation plantings. It is a reliable and low-maintenance choice for adding a strong element of spring color.

The sheer number of flowers provides an enormous amount of nectar for early season pollinators like bees.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$79.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a location with dappled sunlight or morning sun.
Ensure the soil is acidic, rich in humus, and well-drained.
Dig a planting hole that is shallow and twice as wide as the pot.
Set the plant with the top of its root ball at or above the soil line.
Backfill with amended soil, water well, and mulch.
Water regularly, especially during establishment and dry periods.

Pro Tip

Lightly shear after blooming to maintain its dense, compact shape and encourage even more flowers the following year.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Maintain consistent moisture, especially in hot weather.
Use an acidic mulch like pine straw or shredded bark.
Fertilize in spring with a formula for acid-loving plants.
Provide good air circulation to prevent disease.

Don't

Do not plant too deep.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Do not prune late in the season, as this removes next year's flower buds.
Avoid planting in heavy, alkaline clay soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Mass planting for a sea of spring colorLow informal hedgeClassic foundation planting

Companion Plants

Pieris japonica Hosta Ferns Acer palmatum Helleborus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coral Bells Azalea questions

What zones can Coral Bells Azalea grow in?

Coral Bells Azalea is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Coral Bells Azalea deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Coral Bells Azalea, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Coral Bells Azalea bloom?

Coral Bells Azalea typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Coral Bells Azalea need full sun?

Coral Bells Azalea does best in part shade.