Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
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.
Sweet Azalea Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 7 (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
- 8-12 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Mounded
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Early Summer
- 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, Summer Flowering, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweet Azalea
- Botanical Name
- AZALEA ARBORESCENS
- 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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