USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b (5?) Find Your Zone

Plant Type:  Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity:  6-8'

Width at Maturity:  4-6'

Flower Color:  Vibrant Orange-Yellow

Flower Size:  2-3" in rounded clusters

Flowering Period:  Early to Mid-Spring

Flower Type:  Single, Trumpet-shape

Fragrant Flowers:  Yes

Foliage Color:  Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage:  No

Berries:  No

Berry Color:  NA

Sun Needs:  Part to Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun or Dappled Shade

Water Needs:  Average, Lower when established

Soil Type:  Clay (Amen heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt 

Soil Moisture / Drainage:  Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH:  4.5 - 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care:  Low

Attracts:  Visual Attention

Resistances:  Heat, Humidity, Insect, Shade

An extremely hard-to-find, wild-collected austrinum selection from the Earl Sommerville Collection, Rhododendron 'Kate' is a native Azalea that shows off abundant large clusters of red buds that open to funnel-shaped flowers with five wavy-edged, vivid orange-yellow petals that light up the garden in early to mid spring. In our Georgia gardens, heat and humidity tolerance, vigor, and unique color all come together for an absolutely stunning color display. 

Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, the Kate Native Azalea is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in woodland borders or other areas of the landscape that provide moist but well-drained soils rich in organic matter. A fine selection for fragrance gardens, Azalea gardens, woodland gardens, yellow or orange theme gardens, and cottage gardens. 

Spacing:  We do not suggest planting this beauty as a hedge however, if a hedge is desired space at 4 to 5 feet apart; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants

The Kate Native Azalea is very easy to grow in moist but well-drained soil of average to high fertility and part shade to shade. Morning sun with some afternoon shade or filtered sun is perfect. Late evening sun is ok. Once established plants are quite drought tolerant, requiring supplemental water only during prolonged periods of dry summer weather. Native azaleas are very low-maintenance, requiring little if any pruning. That said, occasionally we might prune a stray branch that is spoiling the natural form of the plant.

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune fertilize and water native azaleas.

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