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RHODODENDRON 'Phoenicia'

Image of Rhododendron 'Phoenicia' (Southern Indica Hybrid)

John Rickard

Family

Ericaceae

Botanical Name

RHODODENDRON 'Phoenicia'( Southern Indica Hybrid)

Plant Common Name

Evergreen Azalea, Phoenicia Azalea, Southern Indica Hybrid Azalea

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Southern Indica or sun azaleas are a terrific group of broadleaf evergreens with a hearty tolerance of heat and sunlight. Taller than most other evergreen azaleas, they form handsome broadly mounded bushes with rounded dark green leaves. Late winter and spring find them enveloped in showy clusters of large white, pink, red, or purple flowers. The funnel-shaped blooms often have a contrasting blotch. Although most cultivars bear single flowers, double- and semi-double-flowered selections are also available.

Selected for their tolerance of the hot humid summers of the Southeast United States, these cold-tender hybrids descend from the Belgian Indica Group, which was developed in Belgium using the East Asian species Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron indicum, and Rhododendron murconatum.

Southern Indica azaleas are highly adaptable to all mild-winter climates, growing best in partial sun or in the bright shade under high-branched trees. Once established, they can handle full sun in areas with moderate summers. Give them an acidic soil with good drainage. Whether massed under tall live oaks or grown individually as a garden specimen, container plant, or espalier, they are equally lovely. The rosy-purple flowering 'Formosa' is widely known, but the many other colored cultivars are also excellent subjects.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    5'-10' / 1.5m - 3.0m

  • Width

    5'-10' / 1.5m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink, Light Pink, Magenta, Rose, Crimson, Violet

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Olive, Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single, Double, Semi-Double

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No