Azalea

Azalea cultivars and hybrids

Rhododendron cv.

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

▲ large shrub

▲ flowers

▲ ▼ Springfield-hardy cultivars of Azalea

▲ flowers

▲ Springfield-hardy cultivar of Azalea

▲ ▼ Azaleas in landscape near MSU campus

▲ ▼ azalea foliage on shrub at north end of Karls Hall

'Northern Lights' Azaleas ▼

▲ ▼ 'Northern Lights' azaleas, flowers

Location on campus: in garden area on north side of Meyer Library and south of Kings Street Annex

Rhododendron hyb.: Azaleas & Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons and Azaleas are represented by hundreds of cultivars and dozens of species, all of which are in the genus Rhododendron
the ways to distinguish the two groups are:
- Azaleas: mostly deciduous, with smaller leaves and pubescent stems and leaves; flowers have 5 stamens and are usually funnel-shaped in clusters; more of a medium-textured shrub
- Rhododendrons: mostly evergreen, with larger, glabrous leaves, often with small scales or dots on leaf undersides; flowers have 10 or more stames and are usually bell-shaped in clusters; overall are a coarse-textured shrub
both have simple leaves, alternate leaf arrangement; leaves are ovate to obovate to lanceolate
sizes range from 3' - 10' and 2/3 to equally wide, generally an upright, oval shape or rounded shape
flowers occur in early to mid-spring, usually earlier for azaleas than rhododendrons, but varies with species and cultivar group
both prefer full shade to part sun, moist, acidic, well-drained, high organic matter soil and cool roots
very slow to slow growth rate