Azalea
Rhododendron
Azalea blooms from April through May.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Azalea
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 5–9. Expect it to reach about 3.9 ft tall and 3.9 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 4 years.
When to plant Azalea
Plant Azalea in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 5 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means September or October. Once settled, it blooms from April to May.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 7 in March.
Comes in 15 varieties across 5 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Azalea
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
All parts contain grayanotoxins. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses: vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and in serious cases cardiac failure. Pets and livestock are poisoned more readily than people. per ASPCA
Worth knowing
The same nectar can turn dangerous: bees foraging azalea and rhododendron flowers make 'mad honey' that carries grayanotoxins and can sicken people who eat it. per NC State
One name, two plants
The azalea group splits in two: evergreen hybrids stay leafy, mound low, and bloom April to May; deciduous natives drop their leaves, grow taller, and bloom later. per NC State and UGA
Yellow leaves, green veins
If leaves yellow while the veins stay green, the soil is too alkaline. Above about pH 6.5 iron is present but unusable; lower the pH rather than adding iron. per University of Maryland
Prune right after bloom
Azaleas set next spring's buds on old wood in summer, so prune just after the flowers fade and finish by early summer. A later cut removes next year's flowers. per UGA
Plant high to dodge rot
The shallow roots rot in wet, poorly drained ground. Phytophthora root rot, the main killer, has no cure, so set the root ball slightly above grade and drain sharply. per Clemson
Toxic but not deer-proof
Being poisonous does not stop deer: azaleas are frequently browsed and damaged, so protect new plants in deer country. Rabbits, though, tend to leave them alone. per NC State
What pairs well with Azalea
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; low at 5 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the pink.
Wishbone Flower
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border.
Bacopa
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the pink.
Dead Nettle
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into midsummer; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; echoes the pink.
Cyclamen
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early fall, extending the bed's season; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; echoes the pink.
Lobelia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Sweet Woodruff
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early summer; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; its white flowers settle the pink.
Windflower
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
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