As with all the Northern Lights series of azaleas, perfectly hardy for you and stunning when in bloom. But with a very short - maybe 2 weeks? - bloom period, it's hardly what I'd characterize as a "specimen" shrub :-)

Thanks! What would you characterize as a specimen ? Looking for something that maxes out at 6'x6' or so, preferably less. Flowering is a nice bonus.

This would be placed along my front walkway leading to my door.

Mixed in with other shrubs with an extended season of interest, sure :-)

no plant stops growing at some magical height or width ... that is when you learn how to prune ...

that said.. there arent a lot of HUGE .... read that .. yuge.. Azalea in my z5 ... winter has a way of beating them back... damage ..... short growing season ... etc ...

z5 is about half the US ... and VERY divergent ... we need a big city name.. though i seem to think you are new jork or some such ... does your ground freeze?

ken

Thank you. Good idea. I like firelight hydrangeas

"most Azalea varieties cannot withstand temperatures under -5 degrees or over 90 degrees Fahrenheit."

Tell that to all the hundreds of thousands of azaleas grown in the hot (and humid) summer climates of the southeastern US.......like Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Texas, etc.!