Winner of the Rhododendron Of The Year Award by the American Rhododendron Society for the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, North East and North West regions, Rhododendron calendulaceum, commonly known as Flame Azalea, is regarded as one of if not the most spectacular of North American Native Plants. This flaming beauty dominates the landscape in mid-spring to early summer (depending on location) with abundant clusters of candle flame shaped buds that open to large, 3-inch trumpet-shaped flowers in brilliant, fiery shades of scarlet, orange, yellow or apricot! Long, elegant stamens up to several inches in length protrude from the trumpets. Summer foliage is medium green and the fall color is subdued yellow to red. Very easy to grow in USDA Zones 5 through 8 and is tolerant of dry soils when established.

Winner of the Rhododendron Of The Year Award by the American Rhododendron Society. It is native primarily to woodland slopes and mountain balds in the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsylvania to Georgia however performs well in the the North West region.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide, the Flame Azalea is perfect for use a specimen or in clusters in woodland borders or other shady to partially shaded areas. To flower its best provide a few hours of sunlight per day or all-day filtered sun. As this native azalea grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small specimen tree for use in home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also useful in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to azalea gardens, native plant gardens and cottage gardens.