Bollywood Azalea

Bollywood Azalea (Rhododendron 'Farrow')

Bollywood Azalea (Rhododendron 'Farrow') is a compact, semi-evergreen azalea prized for its vivid pink blooms and striking silver-edged foliage. This hardy selection from Proven Winners offers color and texture throughout the year, combining bright spring flowers with variegated leaves that shine long after bloom. Its dense, rounded shape and moderate growth rate make it ideal for foundation plantings, mixed borders, and container displays. Bollywood's year-round interest and manageable size suit both traditional and contemporary landscapes.

Distinctive Features

This azalea produces profuse, vibrant magenta-pink blooms in mid to late spring, each flower forming a bold contrast against the shimmering green leaves bordered in silver-white. After flowering, the evergreen foliage remains ornamental, maintaining brightness even in shaded garden spaces. Compact and finely branched, Bollywood forms a tidy mound about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, making it excellent for low hedges and small garden beds. Its dependable cold hardiness and colorful foliage set it apart from typical azaleas, offering both bloom and foliage appeal across multiple seasons.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Prefers partial shade; tolerates full sun in cooler climates with adequate moisture.
• Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter.
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist, especially during establishment and hot weather.
• Humidity: Thrives in humid environments; provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9; suitable for areas with mild winters and consistent moisture.

Ideal Uses

• Foundation Plantings: Adds evergreen color and structure beneath windows or along shaded walls.
• Mixed Borders: Provides vivid spring bloom and variegated foliage contrast among green-leaved shrubs.
• Woodland Gardens: Blends naturally with ferns, hostas, and hydrangeas in dappled light.
• Low Hedges: Forms compact, flowering borders requiring little trimming.
• Containers: Excellent for brightening patios or entryways with its colorful foliage and spring bloom.

Low Maintenance Care

Bollywood Azalea is easy to maintain with minimal pruning and consistent watering. It benefits from protection against harsh afternoon sun and from regular soil enrichment to sustain its vibrant foliage.

• Watering: Maintain steady moisture without waterlogging; mulch helps conserve soil moisture and cool roots.
• Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a rounded shape and encourage branching.
• Fertilizing: Feed with an acid-forming, slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again after bloom if needed.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resilient; monitor for lace bugs and root rot in poorly drained sites.
• Winter Care: Protect from cold, drying winds; mulch in late fall to insulate roots and retain soil warmth.

Why Choose Bollywood Azalea?

Bollywood Azalea (Rhododendron 'Farrow') delivers year-round visual interest through its vivid pink blooms and silver-variegated evergreen foliage. Its compact growth, reliability, and ornamental texture make it a versatile and rewarding choice for residential landscapes.

• Brilliant Pink Blooms: Bright magenta-pink flowers make a bold spring statement.
• Variegated Evergreen Foliage: Silver-edged leaves add interest even after flowering ends.
• Compact Habit: Ideal for smaller landscapes, containers, and low hedges.
• Easy to Grow: Performs reliably in partial shade with minimal maintenance.
• All-Season Appeal: Offers color, texture, and structure across every season.

For exceptional foliage contrast, dependable bloom, and compact evergreen structure, Bollywood Azalea provides enduring color and elegance in shaded and partially sunny landscapes.