Sweet Azalea is a large native deciduous shrub with a loose upright habit and glossy green foliage with lighter undersides that turns burgundy in fall.  Clusters of sweetly fragrant white flowers with long red stamen bloom in late spring, and may continue to bloom sporadically through summer.  Best grown with part sun in rich and moist well-drained acidic soils. Note: All parts are highly toxic if ingested.

Syn with Azalea arborescens.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Water Regularly.  Mulch in winter.  Proper care and air circulation should prevent most pest and disease problems. Rhododendrons are susceptible canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly.  Full sun can scorch the folaige.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Garden, Privacy Screen, Foundation Plantings, and Hedges.

COMPANION PLANTS:  Hydrangea, Azalea, Coral Bells

IMAGES: Prides Corner, Azalea arborescens

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.