15 Amazing Types Of Azaleas For Jaw-Dropping Color This Spring

Flowering shrubs like the many types of azaleas, bring dimension, color, pollinators, and often fragrance to our gardens. Azaleas are the diminutive cousins of the Rhododendron. There are many azalea varieties, categorized by evergreen or deciduous, native or introduced, and by their flower forms. Growing azaleas is easy and they add a brilliant pop of color to any garden.

Most of the evergreen azalea types hail from Asia, while the bulk of the deciduous varieties are from North America. And then there are the plants that are cultivated, with breeders seeking new crosses that promote certain characteristics. For the azalea lover, there are more than 10,000 named plants from which to choose.

Deciduous Azaleas

Deciduous types of azalea bushes produce flowers with 5 long stamens that protrude past the petals. These bushes prefer rich, acidic soil in full sun to partial shade, and an azalea's water requirement dictates that soil is slightly moist. These plants tend to have slightly larger leaves than the evergreen varieties of azalea. Most of these native plants have fantastically scented flowers. They are found wild from Texas up into Maine.

• Flame Azalea: An outstanding flowering bush with fiery orange, occasionally white or red, blooms. It grows up to 16 feet (5 m.) in height. Flame Azalea bloom in late May to June.
• Fragrant Star Azalea: As the name might suggest, the blooms are sweetly scented emitting from distinctly star shaped white flowers. The foliage is bluish green and the plant can grow 4 feet (1.2 m.) tall. This is a mid-season bloomer.
• Red Hills Azalea: The unique flowers almost resemble a lily with blushed streaks up the center of creamy petals. This is a newly discovered species that is a monster, topping out at 20 feet (6.1 m.) tall. The bush will flower in May.
• Pink Shell Azalea: This Azalea has translucent, pastel pink petals. Native to the Appalachian region, it prefers light shade in nutrient rich soil. Pink Shell Azalea may mature to 12 feet (3.7 m.). It produces copious soft pink flowers in mid-spring.
• Plumleaf Azalea: While not fragrant, the coral pink flowers are lovely among the green, rounded leaves. This species may reach 20 feet (6.1 m.) and flowers in early spring.

Hybrid Azaleas

Hybrid species are the result between a cross of the Yellow or Honeysuckle Azalea ( the only deciduous European species, and deciduous North American species. The breeds from Europe tend to tolerate less heat and include 'Belgium', 'Mollis', 'Northern Lights', 'Exbury', and 'Knap Hill'. Hybrids suited for hotter locations have also been developed. 'Strickland' and 'Auburn' series are but a few.

• 'Kennell’s Gold' Azalea: A hybrid with gold flowers and light orange stamen. The plant will grow up to 15 feet (4.6 m.). It blooms in April.
• 'Darlin’s Dream' Azalea: The flowers have lavender edges on white flowers with a yellow throat. Bushes can achieve 12 feet (3.7 m.). Flowers arrive in early April.
• 'Sautee Sunset' Azalea: This is a smaller hybrid that will only grow around 8 feet (2.4 m.) tall. The flowers are peachy-orange with golden stamen. This Azalea blooms in mid April.
• 'My Mary' Azalea: My Mary produces huge yellow flowers with a sweet scent. It can mature to 8 feet (2.4 m.) . Flowering commences in early April.
• 'Nacoochee Princess' Azalea: Fragrant white flowers just blushed with pink are a standout feature of this hybrid. It can grow 10 feet (3 m.) tall and flowers in mid April.

Evergreen Azaleas

Evergreen selections are particularly nice in areas with cold winters where much of the landscape is resting. The large leaves bring much needed color and life in the winter months. Many evergreen species bloom several times during the growing season. Most of the popular evergreen hybrids available are the result of careful breeding programs to provide bigger, longer lasting flowers, more vibrant colors, better disease protection, reducing azalea insect problems, and other traits.

• Encore Azaleas: There are many hybrids in this group of large flowered plants. The bushes will bloom in spring and again in fall. Most of the varieties start with ‘Autumn’ and come in hues like pink, white, coral, red, and lavender. There are many different types of azaleas in this group and it includes different sizes of azaleas like standard, dwarf, and semi-dwarf plants.
• Satsuki Azaleas: Satsuki hybrids tend to be smaller and low growing. They are slow growing and will reach their final height of 6 feet (1.83 m.) in around 15 years. Colors range from white, pink, yellow, orange, red, and purple. Many of the hybrids have double petals and most are late bloomers in June.
• Harris Azaleas: Most of the varieties have pink or red petals with white centers. There are both single and double petal flowers in the group. These are small to medium plants with some developing a cascading style of growth.
• Kurume Azaleas: Kurume are a group of Azaleas with dense, compact growth. They tend to get as wide as their height. Their usual height is around 4 feet (1.2 m.). Available colors are pinks and whites in either single, double, or semi-double. These bushes bloom in the mid-season. Their growth is quite slow and they prefer a low light area of the garden.
• Gable Azaleas: Gable are some of the most cold hardy Azaleas. They do not, however, like coastal sites. Mature plants can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m.) tall and wide. Bloom time is from April to May. Purples, pink, and white are the predominant flower colors.

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