(Evergreen Japanese Azalea, Pink Treasure Azalea)

Commonly known as torch azalea, Rhododendron kaempferi is an erect, open, winter-hardy shrub native to much of Japan. Its hybrid 'Pink Treasure' bears showy trusses of dark pink blooms in mid-spring on compact upright branches. The flaring, funnel-shaped, single flowers have red-speckled upper lobes. The elliptic, glossy dark-green leaves are evergreen in mild climes, and may turn bright colors in winter.

Kaempferi hybrid azaleas prefer partial shade and highly organic acid soil...

(Great Laurel, Rosebay Rhododendron)

Prized for its late flowers and its tolerance of shade and cold, this broadleaf evergreen is native to moist woodlands from Maine to Georgia. Tall and sparsely branched, it eventually forms a large open shrub or small multi-stemmed tree.

In late spring or early summer, trusses of 18 to 24 pale-rose, purplish, or white flowers appear at the branch tips, sometimes hidden by the current season's growth. The five-lobed, bell-shaped blooms typically have a cluster of yellow-green spots on their upper...

(Piedmont Rhododendron)

A parent of many well-known hybrids (including the PJM Group), this medium-sized rhododendron from the southern Appalachian Mountains is an outstanding ornamental plant in its own right. It bears rounded trusses of pink, pale purple, or white flowers from early to mid-spring. The wide-flaring funnel-shaped blooms often have a contrasting greenish or yellow-orange blotch on their upper lobe. The upright, dense to open plants have medium-sized oval deep green leaves with rust-brown undersides. The...

(Piedmont Rhododendron)

A parent of many well-known hybrids (including the PJM Group), this medium-sized rhododendron from the southern Appalachian Mountains is an outstanding ornamental plant in its own right. It bears rounded trusses of pink, pale purple, or white flowers from early to mid-spring. The wide-flaring funnel-shaped blooms often have a contrasting greenish or yellow-orange blotch on their upper lobe. The upright, dense to open plants have medium-sized oval deep green leaves with rust-brown undersides. The...

(Piedmont Rhododendron)

A parent of many well-known cultivars (including the PJM hybrids), these small to medium-sized rhododendrons are outstanding ornamental plants in their own right. They are selections of a distinct race of Rhododendron minus var. minus from the the mountains of western North Carolina. These evergreen shrubs bear rounded trusses of rosy purple, pink, or white flowers from early to mid-spring. The wide-flaring funnel-shaped blooms often have a contrasting greenish-yellow blotch on...

(Piedmont Rhododendron)

A parent of many well-known cultivars (including the PJM hybrids), these small to medium-sized rhododendrons are outstanding ornamental plants in their own right. They are selections of a distinct race of Rhododendron minus var. minus from the the mountains of western North Carolina. These evergreen shrubs bear rounded trusses of rosy purple, pink, or white flowers from early to mid-spring. The wide-flaring funnel-shaped blooms often have a contrasting greenish-yellow blotch on...

(Honeysuckle Azalea, Pacific Azalea, Western Azalea)

One of only two azaleas native to the western United States (the other being Rhododendron albiflorum, the Cascade Mountain azalea), western azalea is a medium-sized to large deciduous shrub native to Oregon and California. It bears generous clusters of fragrant white flowers with varying blushes of yellow, orange, pink, or red flowers in late spring, often just as the leaves emerge. The flaring, trumpet-shaped flowers typically have a contrasting yellow or orange blotch. The oval glossy-green...

(Oldham's Azalea, Taiwan Azalea)

Fuzzy yellowish green leaves cloak this broadleaf evergreen shrub year round, a pleasant companion to the rosy rust-colored flowers that most heavily appear in autumn. Native to the mountain thickets of Taiwan, this species gave rise to seedlings that became the Encore Series of reblooming, autumnal azaleas.

Grow the Taiwan azalea in partial shade and a moist, acidic soil that has lots of incorporated organic matter. It may be used as an accent shrub in a mixed border or woodland garden, or...

(Pink Azalea, Pinxterbloom Azalea)

Just as the leaves begin to unfurl in spring, pinxterbloom azalea's spidery light pink flowers look like snowballs on the branches. One of the deciduous azaleas of the American East, from Massachusetts to Georgia, it grows in the highland forests. It is many-branched and forms an attractive, rounded but spreading shrub. The name "pinxterbloom" refers to Pentecost, the 40th day after Easter, making reference to its bloomtime in coldest regions or highest elevations.

Depending on climate, the rosy...

(Korean Azalea)

Korean azalea is a low, dense, broad-growing, semi-evergreen shrub native to open grassy slopes in Korea. It bears small clusters of rose-pink to lavender-violet, fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers in early to mid-spring. The narrow, dark green-leaves turn vibrant shades of orange to red-purple in fall.

Gardeners prefer to plant the Korean azalea in full sun to partially shaded locations in a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It works well in a woodland garden, mixed border or on an embankment....