Rhododendron 'Michael Hill' (North Tisbury Hybrid)

Plant Family

Ericaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Rhododendron 'Michael Hill' (North Tisbury Hybrid)

Plant Common Name

Evergreen Azalea, Michael Hill Evergreen Azalea, North Tisbury Hybrid Azalea

General Description

The North Tisbury azalea ‘Michael Hill' bears lovely large deep shrimp-pink flowers in late spring. The funnel-shaped single blooms have burgundy speckling on their upper lobes. This dense broad ground-hugging plant has small elliptic glossy-green leaves that are bronze-tinged in fall and winter.

North Tisbury Hybrids are low-growing evergreen azaleas introduced by Polly Hill of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Like most North Tisbury cultivars, 'Michael Hill' is a hybrid of Rhododendron nakaharai, a prostrate evergreen azalea from Taiwan.

These azaleas prefer partial shade and highly organic acid soil that is evenly moist but well-drained. Plant them shallowly and mulch well to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. They favor warm summers and cool winters and require some winter cold for good growth. The flower buds develop in summer for the following spring’s display, so prune shortly after flowering, if necessary. Ideally, place them where they will not requre pruning.

North Tisbury azaleas make wonderful specimens, edgers, small-scale ground covers, or container plants for partial shade.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  9 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  6 - 9

• Sunset Zone

  4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Broadleaf Evergreen

• Sun Exposure

  Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

• Width

  5'-8' / 1.5m - 2.4m

• Bloom Time

  Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer

• Native To

  Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Growth Rate

  Medium

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Prostrate/Trailing

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  White, Red, Pink

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green, Burgundy, Bronze

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green, Burgundy, Bronze

• Bark Color

  Brown, Gray

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single, Double, Semi-Double

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  No

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Bark Texture

  Smooth

• Usage

  Container, Edging, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No