Sweet Azalea

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 7

Sweet Azalea is native to the eastern parts of North America. It is a gorgeous addition to the woodland garden with its pure white blooms that sport contrasting red stamens. The large 2inch blooms are very fragrant and long lasting. Rhododendron arborescens is a much later blooming Azalea and should be added to a succession of early, mid and late Azaleas to keep the color going all season.

Sweet Azalea is extremely hardy and has deciduous leaves that have lovely fall color. This quick growing shrub attracts native bees, while still being unattractive to deer and rabbits. Low maintenance and wonderful fragrance is the key to Sweet Azalea’s success.

Sweet Azalea Care

This Azalea prefers a moist and well drained soil. Extra irrigation will be needed in areas with dry, hot summers. All soils but clay are acceptable to Sweet Azalea. Fertilizing is always very minimal when growing native plants. If needed, a light mulch of organic compost or leaves in the fall will help to feed and protect the root system through the winter.

Sweet Azalea has an upright growth that makes it useful as either a specimen plant at the back of the garden bed or as a mixed shrub hedge. Pruning is rarely an issue. A spring pruning to remove any dead, diseased, diagonal or dying branches is best done after flowering has finished. In order to have full blooms, this Azalea should be allowed to retain its loose shape without being tightly clipped into shapes.

Sweet Azalea Spacing

The overall size of Sweet Azalea is on the larger side. Height 8-12 feet and a width of 8-12 feet. When planted as a hedge the spacing is 10 feet on center.