Hino Crimson Azalea vs Hinode Giri

Q: Is there a difference in the Hino Crimson red azalea and the Hinodegiri red azalea?? I read the Hino Crimson is a “sport of” the Hinodegiri but am not sure what that means.

A: Hino Crimson is actually a hybrid of Hinode giri, Rhododendron obtusum, crossed with R amoenum. Hinode giri is known for its tiny leaves and larger red flowers that cover it in a mass in spring. They are not the same but very similar.