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Extend the Blooming Season of your Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Deciduous Azaleas, Evergreen Azaleas, Lepidote Rhododendrons, Elepidote Rhododendrons

Azalea blooming season, Rhododendron blooming season, Azalea flowering, Rhododendron flowering, Azalea flowers, Rhododendron flowers

Coveted for their spectacular blooms in a wide range of shapes and colors, Azaleas and Rhododendrons usually proudly display their colorful blooms in spring for about three weeks, depending on the weather. But did you know that some varieties bloom much earlier in the winter, while others will blossom in mid to late summer? One big splash of color in spring is great, but what if your garden shows cheerful colors in winter or late summer? With some planning and plant hunting, you could enjoy these wonderful flowers almost all year long!

Azaleas and Rhododendrons are members of the genus Rhododendron, one of the largest genera in the plant world, which includes over 900 species and over 20,000 named hybrids of Rhododendrons and Azaleas. These highly popular ornamental shrubs come in all shapes and sizes, from small, ground-hugging shrubs to large, tree-like specimens. Their flowers range from the tiny and delicate blossoms of floriferous dwarf shrubs to the huge ‘trusses’ of tall growing hybrids and species. Some feature wonderful foliage adding glorious fall color to the landscape. Others are deliciously fragrant. All are fascinating.

The following is a list of Azaleas and Rhododendrons for each flowering season. 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.

A few notes:

  • Flowering times may vary by three or more weeks depending on microclimates, planting sites, and “unseasonable” temperatures.
  • In mild and maritime climates, the flowering season of Azaleas and Rhododendrons can extend up to 7 months, while in colder climates, it may be sharply reduced to 3 months.
  • The very early flowering Rhododendrons may need frost protection, while the late flowering varieties might require more shade to extend their bloom time.
  • In bloom or not, many Rhododendrons feature handsome foliage and make outstanding garden plants year-round.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Rhododendron
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Beds And Borders, Banks And Slopes, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Early Season Azaleas and Rhododendrons: December-March (Mild Climates), April-Early May (Cold Climates), July-Early September (Southern Hemisphere)

Rhododendron ‘April Rose’
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’
Rhododendron ‘Praecox’
Rhododendron dauricum ‘Mid-Winter’
Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’

Early Midseason Azaleas and Rhododendrons: April (Mild Climates), Mid-May (Cold Climates), September (Southern Hemisphere)

Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’
Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’
Rhododendron ‘Else Frye’
Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’
Rhododendron ‘Karens’
Rhododendron ‘Klondyke’
Rhododendron ‘Mary Fleming’
Rhododendron ‘My Mary’
Rhododendron ‘Olga Mezitt’
Rhododendron ‘PJM Elite’
Rhododendron ‘Princess Alice’
Rhododendron ‘Saffron Queen’
Rhododendron ‘Windbeam’
Rhododendron austrinum (Florida Flame Azalea)
Rhododendron schlippenbachii (Royal Azalea)
Rhododendron vaseyi (Pink-Shell Azalea)

Midseason Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Early-Mid May (Mild Climates), Late May (Cold Climates), Early October (Southern Hemisphere)

Rhododendron ‘Fragrant Star’
Rhododendron ‘Gibraltar’
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Fuchsia’
Rhododendron ‘Goldkrone’
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’
Rhododendron ‘Loderi King George’
Rhododendron ‘Nestucca’
Rhododendron ‘Nova Zembla’
Rhododendron ‘Rosebud’
Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’
Rhododendron ‘Wheatley’
Rhododendron atlanticum (Coastal Azalea)
Rhododendron luteum (Pontic Azalea)
Rhododendron prinophyllum (Roseshell Azalea)

Late Midseason Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Mid-Late May (Mild Climates), Early June (Cold Climates), Late October (Southern Hemisphere)

Rhododendron ‘English Roseum’
Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’
Rhododendron ‘Homebush’
Rhododendron ‘Mount Saint Helens’
Rhododendron ‘Narcissiflorum’
Rhododendron ‘Rosy Lights’
Rhododendron ‘White Lights’
Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame Azalea)
Rhododendron occidentale (Western Azalea)

Late Season Azaleas and Rhododendrons: June-August (Mild Climates), June-August (Cold Climates), November-January (Southern Hemisphere)

Rhododendron ‘Weston’s Innocence’
Rhododendron arborescens (Sweet Azalea)
Rhododendron prunifolium (Plumleaf Azalea)
Rhododendron viscosum (Swamp Azalea)

Growing Azalea and Rhododendron

Remember that the ability to grow Azaleas and Rhododendrons successfully depends also on the site selection and soil preparation.

  • Their soil should be acidic, organic, moist, fertile, and well-drained.
  • Choose a site with dappled shade in sheltered conditions. Avoid deep shade beneath other trees. Most Rhododendrons will tolerate a more open site if sheltered from cold, dry winds. Dwarf alpine species will tolerate full sun provided the soil is kept evenly moist.
  • Many Azaleas and Rhododendrons are fully cold-hardy. However, a few of them have frost-resistant flowers. Any flowers blooming before the last spring frost are susceptible to damage. Since frost damage is generally caused when the early morning sun strikes the plants’ frozen tissues, you should site your Azalea or Rhododendron where both leaves and flowers are protected from the early morning sun and where they will adapt slowly to the increasing temperatures of the day. Since frost flows downward, avoid planting them in low-lying spots known as frost pockets.
  • When placing plants, always choose locations that mitigate extreme temperature changes, especially in spring and fall, and protect from drying summer or winter winds. Azaleas and Rhododendrons may be harmed in winter by frozen grounds and drying winds or bright sun, which will cause severe foliage desiccation. Protect their shallow roots with a mulch of oak leaves or pine needles and their foliage with woven material such as burlap screens. This will help prevent bark-split (when the sap running in the stem is frozen and bursts the bark).
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 4 - 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Rhododendron
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Beds And Borders, Banks And Slopes, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Rhododendron
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