Azalea, Double Shot Watermelon Rhododendron 'RLH1-9P7' Height: 3 feet Spread: 3 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 6a Group/Class: Double Shot Series Description: This stunning, compact variety produces lush, watermelon pink flowers in spring, with another flush later in the season; good cold hardiness; great for borders, foundations; needs highly acidic and organic soil that is well drained Ornamental Features Azalea, Double Shot Watermelon is covered in stunning clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches from mid spring to early fall, which emerge from distinctive scarlet flower buds. It has dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The small glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. Landscape Attributes Azalea, Double Shot Watermelon is an open multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics. Azalea, Double Shot Watermelon is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Azalea, Double Shot Watermelon will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This shrub does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. Special Attributes These Azaleas are semi-evergreen, very cold winters they drop their foliage. Evergreens need to be watered during the winter. Our desert climate especially in late winter to early spring evergreens can suffer during next growing season. An easy way to remember check for dryness on the holidays Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, Valentines Day & Easter.
