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Azaleas and Rhododendrons for Small Gardens

Deciduous Azaleas, Evergreen Azaleas, Lepidote Rhododendrons, Elepidote Rhododendrons

Small Azaleas, Small Rhododendrons, Small Deciduous Azaleas, Small Evergreen Azaleas, Small Gardens

Azaleas and Rhododendrons are highly popular ornamental shrubs that come in all shapes and sizes, from small, ground-hugging shrubs to large, tree-like specimens. Their flowers range from tiny and delicate blossoms to huge ‘trusses’, counting up to 25 flowers! Some feature wonderful foliage adding glorious fall color to the landscape; others are deliciously fragrant. All are fascinating.

If your garden is small, you must choose Azaleas and Rhododendrons that won’t overwhelm the space or create a maintenance chore, so try to select a smaller variety.

  • Choose varieties that will grow on a scale appropriate to your landscape needs. Rhododendrons have no final size and can grow almost indefinitely. They range from dwarf, ground-hugging varieties, which may reach 16 in. in 10 years (40 cm) to giant tree-like specimens as tall as 20 ft. or more (6 m). Both moisture and the length of the growing season will have a serious impact on their growth rate. Some Rhododendrons will experience a fast growth rate (2 ft. per or 60 cm) while others will slowly grow less than 0.5 in. per year (1cm).
  • If you choose plants that are the right size, to begin with, they are relatively maintenance-free. If not, Azaleas and Rhododendrons can be pruned to be kept small. Most varieties can be cut back if they get too large, except for some species with smooth bark, which will not regenerate. Small-leaved Rhododendrons (Lepidote Rhododendrons) and deciduous or evergreen Azaleas can be cut back or pruned.

The following is a list of compact, dwarf to medium-sized Azaleas and Rhododendrons famed for their flowers. 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.

Guide Information

Hardiness 3 - 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Rhododendron
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
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 Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Azaleas and Rhododendrons for Small Gardens

Rhododendron ‘April Rose’
Rhododendron ‘Blue Tit’
Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’
Rhododendron ‘Daviesii’
Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis’
Rhododendron ‘Else Frye’
Rhododendron ‘Fragrant Star’
Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum’
Rhododendron ‘Gibraltar’
Rhododendron ‘Ginny Gee’
Rhododendron ‘Girard’s Fuchsia’
Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’
Rhododendron ‘Goldkrone’
Rhododendron ‘Hino Crimson’
Rhododendron ‘Homebush’
Rhododendron ‘Karens’
Rhododendron ‘Ken Janeck’
Rhododendron ‘Klondyke’
Rhododendron ‘Mary Fleming’
Rhododendron ‘My Mary’
Rhododendron ‘Narcissiflorum’
Rhododendron ‘Nestucca’
Rhododendron ‘Olga Mezitt’
Rhododendron ‘Praecox’
Rhododendron ‘Princess Anne’
Rhododendron ‘Ramapo’
Rhododendron ‘Rosebud’
Rhododendron ‘Rosy Lights’
Rhododendron ‘Scintillation’
Rhododendron ‘White Lights’
Rhododendron ‘Windbeam’
Rhododendron dauricum ‘Mid-Winter’
Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’

Discover These Helpful Guides for Further Reading

Azaleas and Rhododendrons with Attractive Fall Colors
Choosing Perfect Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Extend the Blooming Season of your Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Fragrant Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Hardiest Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Great Bulbs and Perennials as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Garden Examples

A Pretty Spring Border Idea with Rhododendrons and Crocuses
A Pretty Spring Border Idea with Rhododendrons and Tulips
Compare All Rhododendron
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Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rhododendron
Guides with
Rhododendron
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 3 - 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Genus Rhododendron
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
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 Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Rhododendron
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rhododendron
Guides with
Rhododendron

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