Azalea ‘Garden Rainbow’

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$49.99
Title

Witness a living kaleidoscope in your garden with the 'Garden Rainbow' Azalea. This rare and captivating shrub offers a unique tricolour performance where bright, sunny yellow flowers emerge in late spring and gradually mature through shades of warm orange to a vibrant, rosy pink. Because the blooms transform at different times, the entire plant is often draped in a spectacular "rainbow" of all three colours at once, set against a lush backdrop of clean, mildew-resistant green foliage.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

5' H x 3.5' W

Zone:

5-8

Watering:

Medium to High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Slow - Moderate

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Garden Rainbow Azalea, Tricolor Azalea, Deciduous Azalea ‘Garden Rainbow’

Scientific Name:

Rhododendron ‘Garden Rainbow’

Type:

Ornamental Deciduous Shrub / North American Native Selection

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically reaches 4–6 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide.
  • Growth Habit: Upright and wide.
  • Form: Multi-stemmed, mounding shrub.
  • Growth Rate: Slow to moderate.
  • Longevity: Can live for 40 years or more with proper care.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Strictly requires well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.0) rich in organic matter like compost or peat moss.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly sensitive to alkaline (lime-rich) soils, which can cause leaf yellowing.
  • Watering: High; provide deep, regular watering during the first two growing seasons to establish its shallow root system.

Special Features:

Tricolour blooming effect, mildew-resistant foliage, fragrant flowers, and highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Large, trumpet-shaped tricolour flowers in June.
  • Fall Colour: Foliage can turn attractive golden or bronze hues.
  • Bark/Fruit: Features subtle seed capsules in winter; bark is typically smooth gray-brown.

Garden Value:

A stunning conversation piece for woodland gardens, cottage borders, or as a vibrant accent in smaller landscapes. Its upright form makes it an excellent choice for flowering hedges.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: A premier nectar source for pollinators, particularly specialized bees and hummingbirds.
  • Human Value: Provides dramatic, multi-coloured visual interest in late spring when most other shrubs have finished blooming.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: Plant 3 feet apart for a dense hedge; 7+ feet for individual specimens.
  • Location Tips: Site away from concrete structures (like sidewalks) which can leach lime and raise soil pH.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Performs best in partial shade, especially with protection from harsh afternoon sun; however, it can tolerate full sun in cooler northern climates.
  • Moisture Requirements: Requires consistent moisture; keep the soil evenly damp and do not allow it to dry out completely.
  • Maintenance & Fertilization: Apply a specialized acidic fertilizer in early spring as buds begin to swell. Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain its tidy, upright shape.

Tolerances:

Cold temperatures (to Zone 5), urban pollution, and somewhat drought-tolerant once fully established.

Tips For Success:

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (like pine bark) annually to keep shallow roots cool and acidic. Avoid heavy pruning, as azaleas bloom on old wood.