Coveted for their spectacular blooms which come 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 were to show 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 a 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 a handsome foliage and make outstanding garden plants year-round.