From the giant rhododendrons of East Asian mountainsides to the rosebay rhododendron native to Eastern U.S. woodlands, this family of plants contains something for every landscape, if provided with moisture and shelter under trees. Large, leathery leaves that persist through winter distinguish a rhododendron from the smaller azalea. Clusters of bell-shaped flowers, often fragrant, appear in early to late spring on both plants. Many deciduous azaleas form flowers before the leaves unfurl.
Some azaleas bloom twice a season, on old wood in spring, then on new wood in late summer to fall. All members of the rhododendron clan must have adequate moisture and a well-drained acidic soil to prosper.
Top Varieties
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Rhododendron 'Robled') offers light pink flowers that blooms in spring, then through summer and fall. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Zones 7-9
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Rhododendron 'Blue Diamond') is a dwarf evergreen rhododendron that bears violet-blue flowers. It grows 5 feet tall and wide. Zones 7-9
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Rhododendron 'Capistrano') is a compact, mounding selection, to 4 feet tall and wide, bearing trusses of frilled greenish-yellow flowers. Zones 6-8
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Rhododendron 'Cecile') grows vigorously to become a dense, 7-foot-tall-and-wide shrub with trusses of large, salmon-pink flowers. Zones 5-8
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Rhododendron 'Gibraltar') grows vigorously to 5 feet tall and wide, bearing bright orange flowers. Can tolerate full sun. Zones 5-8
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Rhododendron 'Hydon Dawn') is one of the few rhododendrons that tolerates full sun. It has a low, compact habit to 5 feet tall and wide and bears clusters of small, clear pink flowers that fade to white. Zones 7-9
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Rhododendron 'Hino Crimson') is a dwarf, densely growing azalea that produces bright red flowers. It grows 2 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-8
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Rhododendron obtusum amoenum) is a dense, low-growing evergreen azalea that bears reddish-violet to crimson flowers. It grows 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide. Zones 6-9
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Rhododendron 'Karen') is a hardy evergreen azalea bearing purple flowers in spring. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-9
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Rhododendron yedoense poukhanense) bears lilac to deep-rose funnel-shaped flowers in spring. In fall, leaves change to a gold or reddish purple. Grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-9.
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Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla') is a large evergreen shrub that bears trusses of deep red flowers with spotted throats. It grows 5 to 10 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-8
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Rhododendron 'Olga Mezitt') is an evergreen selection that produces small trusses of deep peach-pink flowers. The leaves redden in fall. It grows to 4 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8
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Rhododendron 'Rosy Lights') is a deciduous azalea that offers extra cold hardiness. The shrub grows to 4 feet tall and wide and features deep purple-pink flowers. Zones 3-8
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Rhododendron 'Sun Chariot') is an upright, dense-growing spring-blooming variety that grows 6 feet tall and wide. It bears yellow blooms with orange blotches in large clusters. Zones 6-9
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Rhododendron 'Trude Webster') forms a compact, upright plant with clustered, clear pink flowers. It grows 5 feet tall and wide. Zones 6-9
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