Pink Azalea, Pinxterflower
Deciduous shrub that is native to moist woods, swamp margins and open areas from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. Clusters of soft pink to white to lavender blooms are slightly fragrant. Blooms in April immediately preceding the emergence of the foliage.
Best grown in acidic, humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates dryish, sandy or rocky soils. Prefers a sun dappled or high open shade. Tolerant of sun in cool summer climates, but leaves may scorch in hot afternoon sun in hot summer climates. Benefits from a mulch to help retain moisture and stabilize soil temperatures. Acidify soils as needed.
Genus name comes from the Greek words rhodo meaning rose and dendron meaning tree. Transferred from the Greek name for Nerium oleander.
Common name of pinxter means Pentecost (seventh Sunday after Easter) in Dutch, in reference to the bloom time for this shrub.
Larval Host for the
3-6'
4-7'
SIZE
SOIL
Moist, Medium, Well-Drained, Humus
LIGHT
Part Shade, Shade
BENEFITS
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
NOTES
Doesn’t like wet feet. Raised beds/plantings should be considered in heavy clay. Clip off spent flower clusters after bloom. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
CHARACTERISTICS
Showy, Fragrant, Tolerates Rabbits, Low Maintenance
April, May
Shrub
This
flowers in
Pinxterbloom Azalea
Rhododendron periclymenoides
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Deciduous shrub that is native to moist woods, swamp margins and open areas from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. Clusters of soft pink to white to lavender blooms are slightly fragrant. Blooms in April immediately preceding the emergence of the foliage.
Best grown in acidic, humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates dryish, sandy or rocky soils. Prefers a sun dappled or high open shade. Tolerant of sun in cool summer climates, but leaves may scorch in hot afternoon sun in hot summer climates. Benefits from a mulch to help retain moisture and stabilize soil temperatures. Acidify soils as needed.
Genus name comes from the Greek words rhodo meaning rose and dendron meaning tree. Transferred from the Greek name for Nerium oleander.
Common name of pinxter means Pentecost (seventh Sunday after Easter) in Dutch, in reference to the bloom time for this shrub.