Lemon Drop Azalea

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-7 Feet

Mature Spread

6-8 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

The Lemon Drop Azalea or Viscosum Azalea is a year-round stunner that adds beautiful color and a lovely fragrance to an outdoor space. Peach-colored buds give way to buttery-yellow flowers that open in July. The blooms have a lemon-like scent that is bright and clean. The flowers are offset by bright green foliage that turns red during the fall. This is a deciduous shrub, and when the leaves drop during the fall and winter, the red-brown stems will brighten up the landscape.

Azalea plants have an upright growth habit and woody stems. Butterflies and hummingbirds are drawn to the flowers. The Lemon Drop Azalea is low maintenance, and while this plant requires some attention during the first year, it is mostly hands-off once acclimated. This is a large shrub, so it makes a wonderful hedge, border, or foundation planting.

Lemon Drop Azalea Care

Plant Lemon Drop Azalea in a spot that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be slightly acidic, rich, and well drained. Water established plants deeply a couple of times per week. Apply fertilizer in the spring and early summer to encourage new growth and abundant flowers.

The Lemon Drop Azalea has a woody structure and an upright growth habit. This shrub naturally maintains a good shape, and significant pruning is not generally needed. You can shape it after the flowers fade if needed.

Lemon Drop Azalea Spacing

The Lemon Drop Azalea has an upright, branched growth habit. Mature plants stand 5 to 7 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Space shrubs about 6 feet apart to create a hedge or a wall of greenery.