Azaleas and Rhododendrons with Attractive Fall Colors

Azaleas and Rhododendrons, with their voluptuous flowers, are one of the best-loved sights of spring. But did you know that some of them also experience a fabulous second season of interest in the fall when their foliage turns brilliant shades of gold, scarlet, or burgundy? 

Rhododendrons are usually evergreen and keep their leaves throughout the winter. However, Azaleas, which belong to the same genus Rhododendron, are often deciduous and naturally provide the best fall color. These color changes may be richly varied. Depending on the Azalea varieties, they may start with bronze or chartreuse tones before continuing through various shades of gold, orange, scarlet, red, and burgundy. Many plants pass through nearly all of these color phases, injecting vibrant sparkles into the fall garden. Please note that the foliage color on Azaleas depends on the amount of moisture in summer and the coolness of late summer and early fall nights. 

To obtain a brilliant fall display, there are many species and hybrids to pick from. The following is a list of Azaleas and Rhododendrons with staggering blossoms, unusual charm in terms of fall color, and reliable performance. Most of them have been recognized as proven performers and have received the Rhododendron of the Year Award of the American Rhododendron Society and/or the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Some are delightfully fragrant, others are incredibly hardy and can withstand temperatures are low as -25°F (-32°C).

Hopefully, this list will be of assistance to those wishing to add glorious fall color to their plantings!