Ribbon Candy Azalea

With its bright pink-and-white striped blooms, the Ribbon Candy Azalea will certainly attract attention. Azalea viscosum or swamp azalea as it is also known produces a dazzling array of star-shaped and fragrant flowers in June. Ribbon Candy Azalea forms a dense, mounding habit of green-blue foliage up to seven feet tall and takes on a lovely autumnal color come fall. This is an excellent choice for the back of an ericaceous border. 

Once established, Ribbon Candy Azalea is low maintenance and requires minimal ongoing care. Preferring moist soil, this swamp azalea is ideal for any damp spots and for naturalizing on woodland margins. Adored by hummingbirds and butterflies when in bloom, this shrub looks impressive when grown as a single specimen or en masse. This shrub is suitable for growing in zones 4 to 8.

Ribbon Candy Azalea Care

For Ribbon Candy Azalea to thrive, it needs to be grown in acidic and fertile soil kept moist. It prefers to be grown in full sun, but will happily tolerate some partial shade as well. If grown in fertile soil, supplementary fertilization is often not required. However, an ericaceous-specific fertilizer can be applied sparingly in the spring. If not grown in a naturally moist soil or wetland area, regular irrigation will be required.   

If pruning is required, the Ribbon Candy Azalea can be trimmed back to a leaf joint straight after it has finished flowering. A layer of mulch can be applied around the base to help reduce moisture loss during the summer months. 

Ribbon Candy Azalea Spacing

When fully grown, the Ribbon Candy Azalea can reach 5-7 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. If growing Azalea viscosum as part of a group, it can be planted at a spacing of around 6-8 feet apart depending on how tight you prefer the planting.