(Evergreen Azalea)

Hybrids that have the East Asian species Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron indicum, and Rhododendron murconatum in their ancestry, the evergreen azaleas of the Indian Group were first developed in the nineteenth century for greenhouse forcing, but also have proven to perform well in the landscape in areas where winters are moderate.

These shrubs are grown for their large long-lasting early- to mid-spring flowers on rounded compact plants. The unscented, funnel-shaped,...

(Back Acres Hybrid Azalea)

The Back Acre Hybrids are a series of compact, evergreen azaleas hybridized by Ben Morrison —developer of the Glenn Dale azaleas —after his retirement to Pass Christian, Mississippi, in 1964. These fine flowering shrubs bear pink, purple, red, or white flowers in spring.

Back Acre azaleas are best adapted to areas with warm summers and mild winters such as the southeastern United States. Like most evergreen azaleas, they prefer partial shade and moist, humus-rich, acid soil. Azaleas are perfectly...

(Rhododendron)

Valued for it hardiness, its low broad habit, and its showy bloom, this hybrid of Rhododendron forrestii bears numerous loose clusters of deep cherry-red flowers in mid-spring. The ruffled, broadly funnel-shaped blooms are unscented and unblotched. The large oval leaves are glossy dark green. This dense compact shrub grows more than twice as wide as high.

Like most rhododendrons, 'Baden Baden' prefers partial shade and highly organic acid soil that is evenly moist but well-drained....

(Bali Rhododendron, Leach Hybrid Rhododendron, Rhododendron)

One of many outstanding hardy rhododendrons hybridized by David Leach of North Madison, Ohio, this broad rounded head-high shrub bears numerous wide-domed clusters of rose-pink flowers from mid- to late spring. The ruffled, broadly funnel-shaped blooms have a yellowish throat. The large narrowly elliptic leaves are yellow-green.

Like most rhododendrons, 'Bali' prefers partial shade and highly organic acid soil that is evenly moist but well-drained. Plant it shallowly and mulch well to conserve...

(Ball Hybrid Azalea)

The enormous genus Rhododendron comprises more than a thousand species. They are naturally distributed on every continent except Antarctica, Africa and South America. The highest concentrations of species occur in the temperate and mountainous regions of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Grown for their showy flowers, rhododendrons are garden favorites worldwide and have been highly hybridized. There are more than 28,000 registered cultivars.

Plants in this genus are extremely variable...

(Balzac Azalea, Deciduous Azalea, Exbury Hybrid Azalea)

A tall-growing Exbury Hybrid azalea, 'Balzac' bears fragrant nasturtium-red, orange-blotched blooms in late spring, before the foliage emerges. The long-tubed flowers flare into a five-lobed star at the their tips. They cluster on upright, open, cold-hardy plants. The dark green, hairy, rust-resistant leaves color nicely in fall.

Developed by Lionel de Rothschild at his Exbury Estate in England, Exbury Hybrids are deciduous azaleas whose ancestry includes the Ghent, Mollis, and Knap Hill hybrids...

(Bearded Rhododendron)

Beautiful as a companion to needled evergreens like fir, the bearded rhododendron's bright red, ball-like flowers are dazzling in spring. Native to the mild highlands of southern Asia's Himalayas, from India to Tibet, it slowly grows to become an upright shrub or small tree.

The deep green leaves are elliptical in shape and satiny with bristles on their petiole stems. In early spring, branch tips are adorned with globe-like trusses of coral-red to crimson flowers, numbering 10 to 20 per cluster....

(Bariton Rhododendron, Hachmann Hybrid Rhododendron, Rhododendron)

One of hundreds of outstanding rhododendron hybrids introduced since 1951 by Hans and Holger Hachmann of Barmstedt, Germany, 'Bariton' bears showy spherical heads of deep reddish purple flowers with pale purple centers from mid- to late spring. The wide-flaring, wavy-edged, funnel-shaped blooms have a dark maroon blotch on their upper lobes. The upright, head-high plants are densely furnished with long narrow glossy green leaves. Like most rhododendrons, Hachmann Hybrids prefer chilly winters,...

(Evergreen Azalea, Robin Hill Azalea)

Robin Hill hybrid azaleas are a large group of evergreen shrubs that were hybridized in New Jersey by chemist and rhododendron enthusiast, Robert Gartrell. They are complex hybrids which combine the attributes of small-flowered hardy azaleas with those of the more tender large-flowered types. Generally, they are compact, spreading or mounding, have an extended blooming season and bear large flowers on small plants.

This large group of azaleas is quite cold tolerant. Their leaves are generally...

(Belgian Indica Azalea)

Developed in Belgium using the East Asian species Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron indicum, and Rhododendron murconatum, these hybrid evergreen azaleas were originally selected for greenhouse forcing but perform well in the landscape in areas where temperatures are moderate.

These shrubs are grown for their large long-lasting early-spring flowers and their compact mounding to spreading habit. The unscented, funnel-shaped, ruffled blooms are borne in clusters near...