Azalea (Rhododendron)

Azalea Plant Features

In the spring, no other flowering shrub can come close the spectacular beauty of azaleas. These amazing plants practically cover themselves with beautiful clusters of showy flowers in a host of colors. Most azaleas bloom once in the spring, but some varieties will re-bloom once their spring show is over. Then, they'll produce another wave of flowers in the summer and again in the fall. Azaleas prefer a partially shady location and do well under the canopy of taller deciduous trees. The plants will eventually grow 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide so be sure to give them plenty of room to stretch out as they mature. Hardy from zones 6-9.

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Azalea Growing Instructions

Most azaleas grow best in partial or light shade, and moist, well-drained soil that has an acidic pH. They don't tolerate drought well, so be sure to plant them in a spot where you can provide them with additional moisture if your area suffers from dry spells. Because azaleas like acidic soil, you may need to use soil amendments such as soil sulfur or aluminum sulfate to keep the leaves a rich, dark green color.

Azaleas are not recommended for animal or human consumption.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Outside: Part sun

Outside: Shade
Colors

Pink

Red

White
Special Features

Attracts butterflies

Attracts hummingbirds

Complement your Azalea

Bleeding Heart
In the springtime, Bleeding heart and Azalea are a winning combination.

Ajuga
Brighten the lower stems of Azaleas with a carpet of Ajuga planted up front.

Hosta
Tall, large-leaved Hosta varieties are pretty enough to hold their own planted next to Azaleas.

Our favorite varieties

Encore Autumn Amethyst Azalea

Rhododendron 'Encore Autumn Amethyst'

The stunning purple flowers of ‘Encore Autumn Amethyst’ azalea appear in spring, mid-summer, and again in fall. Each flower is lightly brushed with dark pink. Plants grow 4 feet tall.

Encore Autumn Embers Azalea

Rhododendron 'Encore Autumn Embers'

Light up your shade garden with ‘Encore Autumn Embers’ azalea. This re-bloomer produces scores of fiery red blooms in spring, summer, and autumn. Plants grow 3 feet tall.

Formosa Azalea

Rhododendron 'Formosa'

The eye-catching orchid-and-white flowers of Formosa azalea will transform any shady corner into a festival of spring bloom. The plants can grow 6 to 8 feet tall.

George Tabor Azalea

Rhododendron 'George Tabor'

A vigorous plant that’s smothered in lavender-pink blooms in the early spring, ‘George Tabor’ azalea makes a great flowering hedge. It can grow 8 feet tall.

Hersey Red Azalea

Rhododendron 'Hersey Red'

An easy-care, compact variety that grows just 4 feet tall, ‘Hershey Red’ azalea produces spectacular bright red flowers every spring.

Hino Crimson Azalea

Rhododendron 'Hino Crimson'

A bit cold hardier than other azaleas, ‘Hino-Crimson’ is smothered in bright bloom every spring. The plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Zones 5-8

Karen Azalea

Rhododendron 'Karen'

Hardy to zone 4, ‘Karen’ azalea is a good choice for more northern locations. The plants can grow 2 to 4 feet tall produce lavender-purple blooms. Hardy from zones 4-9.

Pink Ruffle Azalea

Rhododendron 'Pink Ruffle'

The ruffled petals of ‘Pink Ruffle’ azalea give this gorgeous plant its name. A good choice for southern regions, this plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Hardy in zones 8 and 9.

Coral Bells Azalea

Rhododendron 'Coral Bells'

Coral-pink trumpet-shaped flowers appear in spring over a mass of dark green foliage. ‘Coral Bells’ is a low-growing, compact form that makes a good foundation plant. It grows 4 feet tall.

Fashion Azalea

Rhododendron 'Fashion'

Dress up your landscape with ‘Fashion’ azalea. This upright variety grows 4 to 6 feet tall and is covered in orange-red spring flowers. Use it as a specimen plant or in a flowering-shrub border.