Rhododendron arborescens
(Smooth azalea or Sweet azalea)

Sweet azalea is a great shrub for anyone looking for a deciduous, loose branched shrub that is both fragrant and adds great visual appeal with it’s elegant white flowers and red pistils. Sweet azalea is not only a great looking shrub during the summer when it has bloomed, but in the autumn months, the foliage of sweet azalea will turn into different shades of red, orange, and yellow, making it a great shrub to have around in the autumn too.

Sweet, or smooth azaleas are a deciduous shrub that has a flowering period between the late spring months and the early summer months. This gorgeous shrub is also quite hardy and can withstand very harsh conditions. It is one of the hardiest white azalea plants, which also means the plant is very versatile in it’s growing conditions. For example, you can grow this plant in full sun or partial shade. However, a mix of shade and sun is the best option to choose, even if it can survive in full sun. You can also grow it in dry soils or wet soils. However, sweet azaleas prefer and should be planted in an acidic soil pH to grow to it’s fullest potential. Around 4.5 to 6 pH should be acidic enough.

Sweet azalea can grow to be quite large fast, so it’s a good idea to measure the area before planting. They will usually grow to be around 8 to 10 feet in height and spread, but can potentially grow up to 20 feet in height and spread. So when planting, ensure you have enough space for it to grow. Otherwise, you can prune them later on after they have bloomed in the spring. Sweet azaleas spread through underground runners, also known as stolons.

These plants can be a gigantic source of food for many passing hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies thanks to their size and the amount of nectar available in the many flowers. Deer will also eat and can destroy most of the leaves on this shrub, making it much less effective at attracting both birds and other beneficial insects. Every part of sweet azalea is toxic to humans and should never be consumed, so it is not the best plant if you have many children/pets who are out in the yard a lot. However, if you are able to plant this shrub without having to worry about anyone eating it, this shrub makes for an amazing addition to any garden, especially during the summer and autumn months.

Sweet azalea can be a great choice for visual appeal in many east coast gardens. It’s a fairly hardy plant, and also a fairly simple one to grow. There can be many benefits to come with this wonderful plant for your garden and it’s visitors. It’s a great way to attract plenty of different caterpillars, birds, bees, and butteflies while also adding amazing visual appeal with it’s foliage and elegant and graceful flowers.