Royal Azalea (Rhododendron schlippenbachii) offers fragrant, saucer-shaped blooms in pale to rose pink, appearing in mid- to late spring. Each flower spans around two to three inches, creating an unforgettable floral display that emerges alongside elegant, whorled foliage. This deciduous shrub typically grows six to eight feet tall and equally wide, forming a rounded, upright shape that adds drama to woodland gardens or mixed borders. Its autumn transformation includes golden, orange, and red foliage, extending visual interest beyond the flowering season. The larger, showy blooms and multi-season allure set this species apart from standard azaleas.
Royal Azalea is native to parts of Eastern Asia, where it commonly serves as an understory plant on wooded slopes. It fits beautifully into naturalistic landscapes, pollinator gardens, or foundation plantings, offering delicate fragrance and a welcoming spot for butterflies. While it tolerates full sun in cooler climates, it prefers dappled light or high open shade to avoid leaf scorch. Clay soil can pose problems, so consider amending with organic matter or planting in raised beds for improved drainage. A healthy site with adequate moisture and airflow keeps problems to a minimum.
Royal Azalea Care
Plant in slightly acidic, humus-rich soil with good drainage, setting the root ball slightly above ground level to reduce waterlogging. Dappled sun or morning light with afternoon shade generally assures the best leaf and bloom performance, especially in warmer regions. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, but avoid flooding the roots by allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. A balanced, acid-loving fertilizer applied in spring supports robust new growth and increased bud development. Mulching around the base stabilizes soil temperature, helps retain moisture, and protects the shallow root system.
Pruning after flowering maintains a neat shape and encourages fresh branching. Remove spent blossoms, and consider thinning out older or damaged stems to boost air circulation and reduce disease risks. If growing in containers, monitor for root-bound conditions and trim or repot as necessary. For colder regions, an extra layer of mulch around the root zone offers additional winter protection.
Royal Azalea Spacing
Place plants around five to six feet apart for a continuous hedge or grouping, allowing plenty of room for their mature spread. In a more open design, or when mixing with other shrubs, maintain six to eight feet of space to highlight each plant’s natural form. For container growth, select a pot at least 16 to 18 inches wide, providing enough depth for the shallow root system. Adjust spacing or container size as the azalea matures to maintain its graceful display.
- SKU:
- 1231000200-pc
Container Sizes
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
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
2.5 Quart
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
#1 Pot
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
#2 Pot
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
#3 Pot
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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations