Azalea cultivars and hybrids

Rhododendron cv.

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

▲ large shrub

▲ flowers

▲▼ Springfield-hardy cultivars of Azalea

▲ flowers

▲ Springfield-hardy cultivar of Azalea

▲▼ Azaleas in landscape near MSU campus

▲▼ azalea foliage on shrub at north end of Karls Hall

 

'Northern Lights' Azaleas ▼

▲▼ 'Northern Lights' azaleas, flowers

▲▼ 'Northern Lights' azaleas, flowers

Location on campus: in garden area on north side of  Meyer Library and south of Kings Street Annex

Rhododendron hyb.: Azaleas & Rhododendrons

·         Rhododendrons and Azaleas are represented by hundreds of cultivars and dozens of species, all of which are in the genus Rhododendron

·         the ways to distinguish the two groups are:

o   Azaleas:  mostly deciduous, with smaller leaves and pubescent stems and leaves; flowers have 5 stamens and are usually funnel-shaped in clusters; more of a medium-textured shrub

o   Rhododendrons:  mostly evergreen, with larger, glabrous leaves, often with small scales or dots on leaf undersides; flowers have 10 or more stames and are usually bell-shaped in clusters; overall are a coarse-textured shrub

·         both have simple leaves, alternate leaf arrangement; leaves are ovate to obovate to lanceolate

·         sizes range from 3' - 10' and 2/3 to equally wide, generally an upright, oval shape or rounded shape

·         flowers occur in early to mid-spring, usually earlier for azaleas than rhododendrons, but varies with species and cultivar group

·         both prefer full shade to part sun, moist, acidic, well-drained, high organic matter soil and cool roots

·         very slow to slow growth rate