New foliage is bronze, changing to green with maturity. Evergreen flowering rhododendron shrubs thrive in … has deep pink buds that open white, a dense Jean Marie de Montague – 5', -5F. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Formosa (Phoeniceum) –  6', +10F. A deep yellow that blooms in June. Can withstand both sun and heat. In full shade the azalea will produce far fewer blooms but the foliage often can look healthy despite a spindly distribution of branches. Rhododendron lutescens – 6', +5F. Pathfinder –    Orange buds open to golden flowers, deep golden blotch [Return to List]. The mass of slender, dark green leaves do well in a sunny spot. Bright crimson flowers unfold in April, and holding their color well. It is a hybrid rhododendron that grows to a height of only 30 inches. It is delightfully fragrant. augustinii – 6', 0F. Medium height. Rhododendrons will grow nicely in full sun to moderate shade. This attribute, coupled with sun tolerance and red winter foliage, makes 'Hino Crimson' an excellent all around choice. The relatively large flowers (1" to 1-1/2") are salmon-pink with dark pink spots. It has one drawback. It produces an abundance of snowy white flowers and has fuzzy green leaves. It grows approximately 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Tolerant of the sun and cold, this compact hybrid grows beautifully even when planted in locations often considered too exposed for a rhododendron. Undersides are scaled with brown spots, petioles reddish-brown. Christmas Cheer – 4', -10F. Wildlife Value: Flowers attract hummingbirds. Rose Elf –  18", +5F. Medium height. In 1971 they began hybridizing Exbury azaleas with southern native species to create heat tolerant, large flowered, fragrant deciduous azaleas. It grows to 5' tall and is hardy. This is the rhododendron for that sunny spot in the yard as it does best in the sun. The flowers are beautiful, soft peach-pink. Mrs. Charles E. Pearson – 6', -5F. Pink Lace –    3', 0F. Flowers are snow white in ball shaped trusses. They thrive only in acidic soil. [Return to List]. Very deep yellow flowers are held on an upright growing plant. A good looking rhododendron that grows well in sunny, hot locations. Catawba rhododendron is a large-leaved, evergreen shrub reaching 6 to 10 feet high with large, lilac-purple flowers borne in clusters (trusses) in mid-to late spring. A broad, dense cushion measuring 5-6' high develops as the plant matures. Rhododendrons require the proper mix of sun and shade, but acid soil is also a must for plants of this genus. Good for extending your bloom season into June. Cheer – 5', -10F. In spring the foliage is hidden by 1-inch flowers. Few plants have foliage as green. Over 100 of these deciduous hybrids are named, and 8 of them are registered. With long, narrow leaves and the fragrant, light pink trusses, this plant is a popular cold hardy hybrid from the eastern U.S. A sun tolerant selection. It even blooms well in deep shade. Form is rounded and the foliage is leathery and dark green until fall when it turns almost purplish. chasmanthum – 6', 0F. They must be grown like orchids. Very fragrant. Lisa's Gold – 5', -15F. It can burn in northern, colder winters, but it always recovers. Iveryana –    2', +10F. Small, glossy, leathery, elliptical leaves 2 to 3 in. Showy flowers bloom in mid-summer in shades of pink, peach, purple and white. The Plant has a strong, upright habit and is very heat tolerant. 'Southland' is very floriferous with peachy to creamy pink flowers, a color that is a bit hard to describe, but very pleasing. Here is hardiness, good flower and large foliage, all in one hybrid. Numerous small, tubular flowers will last for a month. [Return to List]. Medium height. Stewartstonian –  Early, -20F, Medium. A sister seedling of 'Red Eye', this rugged plant stands sun well and blooms young. Open and upright, the new growth is bright red, and creates quite a display in itself. Lavender Girl – 5', -15F. The medium sized leaves, that range in color from dull dark green to a lovely bronzy red, are oblong or lance shaped. While they may be compact in habit, they are bold on blooms. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. They are very hardy, among the hardiest and most shade tolerant rhododendrons. A nice looking contrast with other plants. Do not cultivate around the shallow roots of rhododendrons and azaleas, but pinch off their faded flowers to improve bloom the following year. Hallelujah – 4', -15F. Blue Diamond – 3', -5F. The quest for heat tolerant rhododendrons has focused on the very heat tolerant Rhododendron hyperythrum. Ramapo is a common azalea or dwarf rhododendron often seen planted in masses. North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Planted in the open, it grows to a dense 2½' mound, although it adapts well for use as hedging. A favorite of many gardeners, 'Blue Diamond' has small flowers all along the vertical dense, finely branched stems. Early bloomers are usually more upright and vigorous, while later bloomers are more compact and spreading. Tough, medium sized leaves are dense on this well shaped plant. [Return to List]. For heat and sun tolerance this is extremely good. Excellent for shade gardens or in a sheltered site. It is an excellent landscape plant, will grow under most conditions, and the flowers are long lasting. When the flower first opens, the eye is green gold and little by little it becomes red. • They grow best when planted higher than the surrounding soil in moist, well-drained soil. In tropical climates, the best rhododendrons are the Vireya, a type which is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. They include the following: Ramapo – 2', -20F. Here is hardiness, sun tolerance, lush foliage, and a lovely flower all in one. It prefers partial shade. Hardy to +5F. Its reddish-purple flowers are held in medium sized, tight trusses. This hybrid exhibits some outstanding characteristics. Kaempferi Azaleas have an upright form that grows 4 to 10 feet tall, and 5 to 6 feet wide. The smooth leaves, small, long, and dark green, have densely scaled undersides. 'Ramapo' is a good dwarf rhododendron. Fertilize lightly, as an excess of fertilizer will cause foliage burn more easily than on most rhododendrons. Leaf spot disease can develop if grown in deep shade or suffers drought stress. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This hybrid group was developed from a large collection of Belgian Indian hybrids in the Southeastern US around 1870. Fragrant Star –  (Briggs)  4', -20F. The profuse flowers are lavender-blue with pansy-violet edges and a distinctive dahlia-purple blotch. Dwarf alpine species will tolerate full sun provided the soil is kept evenly moist. Just as attractive as the flowers is the glossy dark green foliage, that is held for three years on a vigorous, but compact, plant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Rhododendrons are susceptible to insect and disease problems. Plants usually grow 4 to 9 feet tall in Zones 5-8, hardy to -10° F, and occasionally reach 15 feet. Cherries 'n Cream – 3', -5F. For heat and sun tolerance this is extremely good and fairly good for cold hardiness. Fastuosum Flore Pleno – 6', -15F. [Return to List]. Blooms in early mid-season. It provides lavender flowers as well as colorful fall foliage. Rhododendrons in the 'P.J.M.' Cadis –  5', -15F. It's vigorous, cold hardy, heat and sun resistant. Leaves are often wider and can be partly deciduous. Jock – 3', -5F. Its fragrant white flowers, 1 to 3 inches wide, often bloom in pairs and may be stained with green, lilac or pink at the base, depending on the variety. Plant grows compactly forming a dense, round mound. A new plant with exceptional foliage. As the season progresses, the mound becomes a superb jade green with rose-red bud scales for another show of color. The plant will stand more sun and exposure than most. † indicates Rhododendrons Tolerant of Sun and Heat. 'Sonata' has tubular shaped, orange-red flowers edged in red. It flowers very late in the season with small, medium pink flowers, great to extend the flowering time of rhododendrons. It has red buds, opening to rose pink flowers, with red flecks in the throat and a white circle in the throat that slowly grows larger each day. Most evergreen azaleas do best in partial shade, but not heavy shade. For hardiness: 'Formosa', also called 'Phoenicia', lavender, is hardy to Zone 6, -5° F. Brilliant – 2', 0F. It is 3 to 6 feet high with a naturally rounded shape and … While growth at 10 years is 3', it will become a larger plant, so give it enough space. It is also tolerant of sun and swampy conditions. Blooms in early mid-season. A dependable rhododendron. leaves. Yellow Hammer – 4', +5F. The flowers, larger than maximum's flowers, are bright red with a white throat and small yellow dorsal flare. Its funnel shaped flowers with ruffled edges are pale mauve to lavender-blue with a distinctive dark blotch. Heat tolerant. This section will deal with non-tropical rhododendrons and azaleas that can withstand warmer climates such as the southeastern US including Eastern Oklahoma. Super vigorous with lush foliage. It can tolerate full sun in certain areas, although windy sites should be avoided. The flowers are lavender-blue. A very romantic plant for cottage gardens anywhere. 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