Rhododendron 'Hilda Niblett' Azalea

Rhododendron 'Hilda Niblett' Azalea is a truly beautiful, one-of-a-kind shrub. Although it is quite low-growing, it has the full-size 4-inch flower trusses of much larger azaleas. And the shape of its mounding, spreading habit may remind you of a turtle.

Winner of several awards, 'Hilda Niblett' is a classic variety that gardeners have loved for many years. It is evergreen, with fresh bright green foliage that carpets the garden floor in color year-round. Part of a legacy series called the Robinhill Azaleas, it has stood the test of time beautifully.

Of course, the main attraction is the highly unusual peach-and-white flowers. Bearing shades of pink and red as well, these blooms look single-colored from a distance, before revealing all their unique colors and shades. There's no other azalea like 'Hilda Niblett' in the garden.

Expect this shade-loving shrub to reach no more than a foot high, and to spread 3 to 4 feet wide. It makes the perfect underplanting to spring-blooming trees, roses, and just about any planting of shrubs and perennials. The blooms begin in early spring in most climates—a bit ahead of most other azaleas—and last dependably into the first weeks of summer. That's a very lengthy season for any Rhododendron (Azaleas are a type of Rhododendron), and is very welcome during spring, when few groundcovers are at their best.

Give 'Hilda Niblett' partial shade, loose and well-worked soil, and plenty of privacy. This is not a shrub that appreciates you digging around it, because its roots are very shallow. Other than that, it is trouble-free, even in less-than-perfect soils. Expect flowers beginning the very first spring, and for decades to come.