Summary
Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) produces sweetly fragrant white flowers with prominent red pistils in late spring to early-summer. This deciduous, erect-stemmed, loosely branched shrub ranges in size from 8-20’ tall. Attractive glossy green foliage transitions to stunning shades of yellow, bronze, orange and red in autumn. Sweet azalea prefers a location in dappled to partial shade in a light, acidic, sandy soils. Although it prefers soils that are consistently moist, they should be well-drained to prevent instances of root rot. In clay-heavy areas, planting in a raised bed should be considered. Site in an area protected from winter winds and away from other shrubs that may encroach into the area of the shallow, fibrous root system. Application of natural mulch (wood chips, bark or pine needles) will aid in moisture retention and stabilization of soil temperatures. This azalea adds a delicate and refined character to the garden and can be planted effectively as a specimen shrub or incorporated into a mixed border with American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), large fothergilla (Fothergilla major), and inkberry (Ilex glabra). Zones 4-7.
More Details
- Plant Type
shrub - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
evenly-moist-to-average - Flowering Period
late-spring-to-early-summer - Soil PH
acidic - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
orange, red, yellow - Other Common Names
Smooth azalea - Fruit/Seed Color
brown