Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Gardeners in colder climates are often not able to successfully grow evergreen Azaleas because of heavy snowfalls or late frosts that blast the tender buds. Mandarin Lights Azalea is one of many deciduous Azaleas bred by the University of Minnesota to be the spring bloomer of the Northern gardener's dreams. Large clusters of fragrant flowers bloom well before the foliage appears. Mandarin Lights blooms are tough enough to survive the inevitable last hard frost of the season and still bloom beautifully and reliably. Mandarin Lights also has a more compact shape than other deciduous Azaleas. It requires minimal pruning.
Most early blooming shrubs are fantastic for attracting insect pollinators. Mandarin Lights is as well. The deep orange blooms and fragrance are irresistible to bees and hummingbirds as well as butterflies. Disease resistance has also been bred into this cultivar.
Mandarin Lights Azalea Care
Azaleas prefer a very acidic soil to keep their foliage as dark green as possible. An application of a slow release food for acid-loving plants is only needed after the blooming period has ended. Soil requirements are average, as long as there is good drainage. Regular watering is important the first year for a good establishment. After that, Mandarin lights will require very little extra irrigation.
Pruning is only needed once a year, after the blooming period has ended. The rate of growth for this Azalea is moderate. This Azalea has a bit of height which makes it good for the back of a woodland type planting scheme. It is also a natural to be included in an Asian inspired planting. Adding lovely form with its naked stems in the winter.
Mandarin Lights Azalea Spacing
Mandarin Lights have a height of 4-5 feet and a spread of 4-5 feet. Spacing of 5 feet, center on center, will ensure there is room for the branches of this graceful shrub to spread. Mandarin Lights is also good for large container planting. A pot of at least 24 inches in diameter is necessary and will require more attention to watering than if planted in the ground.
Mandarin Lights Azalea Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 4-5 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-5 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Orange
- Flower Description
- Mandarin Orange
- Bloom Time
- Mid-Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Mandarin Lights Azalea
- Botanical Name
- AZALEA 'MANDARIN LIGHTS'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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