Sweet Azalea, Rhododendron arborescens

Sweet azalea (also known as Smooth Azalea) offers multiple seasons of interest! White or pink-tinged fragrant flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In the fall the foliage turns bright orange to crimson or purple color. Our plants are seed grown and there is some variation in flower color. We pride ourselves on growing high quality native plants with a healthy root system. Plants are grown in a trade 1 gallon container.

Hardiness zones: 4-7

Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) is an erect, loosely branched, woody, deciduous shrub that typically matures to 8 to 10 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. In its native habitat, it is found growing in sloped woodlands, along streambanks, and sometimes boggy areas.

Relatively tall and fast-growing for a native azalea, Rhododendron arborescens is one of the hardiest native white azaleas and one of the last azaleas to bloom in the spring. It is drought-sensitive and requires moist, partially shaded sites.