Discover the vibrant beauty that azaleas bring to any garden. With a stunning array of azalea colors, these exquisite flowers are sure to add an enchanting touch to your outdoor space. Explore the diverse range of shades and hues available and learn how to incorporate them into your own garden oasis.
What is an Azalea?
An azalea is a beautiful flowering shrub known for its vibrant colors and sweet-smelling blossoms. It belongs to the rhododendron family and is native to many parts of Asia, Europe, and North America.
There are two types of azaleas: deciduous and evergreen. Evergreen azaleas come in different sizes, depending on their group. Deciduous azaleas, on the other hand, lose their leaves in winter. They have vibrant flowers in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and white that may be fragrant. Azaleas need more sun than rhododendrons but do fine in filtered light. Pruning is necessary for evergreen azaleas to prevent them from becoming leggy. Prune them after flowering to preserve the season’s blooms.
How Do You Grow Azaleas?
Azaleas are some of the most striking and vibrant flowering plants, and they are easy to grow with the right care. To achieve lush, healthy growth, azaleas should be planted in soil that is acidic and moist, with plenty of organic matter. Planting in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade will also help to ensure optimal growth.
Azaleas should be watered regularly but not over-watered. During the growing season, water the soil until it is moist but not soggy. Mulching around the plant helps to keep moisture in the soil. Feed azaleas with an acidic fertilizer in the spring and summer for best results.
Azaleas tend to bloom best when pruned regularly. Prune your azaleas at least once a year after the first flush of blooms. You can trim away dead or crossing branches and shape the azalea into a pleasing shape. Avoid cutting too close to the main stem of the plant.
Azaleas also need protection from frost. Most types of azaleas are winter hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9. If you live in a colder climate, cover your plants with a sheet or burlap when temperatures drop. This will provide insulation and help keep the roots safe.
When Do Azaleas Bloom?
Azaleas are a beloved springtime flower with brightly-colored, vibrant blooms. They typically bloom in late April or early May and can last for up to several weeks. A few varieties bloom in June, and even fewer bloom in July. Azaleas flourish in cooler climates and can be found in gardens and forests across the United States.
Colors of Azalea
Azalea colors range from white to pink to purple. The pale pastels of white and pink azaleas provide a delicate, romantic atmosphere to any garden. Meanwhile, the more vibrant shades of purple or blue-violet bring a sense of drama and mystery. Azaleas can also be found in shades of yellow and orange, adding a cheerful, warm touch to any outdoor space. Whatever the color, azaleas are sure to bring beauty and life to any garden.
12 Orange Azaleas
Several cultivars of azaleas are orange. They range from light orange and orange-red to deep coral orange. Here are twelve of our favorite cultivars.
Number | Azalea Cultiver | Shade of Orange | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ama Gasa | Deep coral orange | Evergreen | June |
2 | Beni Kirishima | Double orange red | Evergreen | May |
3 | Girard’s Hot Shot | Orange-red | Evergreen | April |
4 | Greenwood Orange | True Orange | Evergreen | Orange-red |
5 | Maria Derby | Sunset Orange | Evergreen | April-May |
6 | Arneson Gem | Golden orange | Deciduous | April-May |
7 | Dragon Fire | Bright orange | Deciduous | May |
8 | Gibraltar | Vivid, nearly neon orange | Deciduous | April-May |
9 | Mandarin Lights | Saffron Orange w/ruffles & scent | Deciduous | May-June |
10 | Mary Poppins | Carrot Orange | Deciduous | May |
11 | Klondyke | Tangerine orange and bronze | Deciduous | April-May |
12 | Tangerine Delight | Pumpkin orange, strongly scented | Deciduous | April-May |
Azalea Colors — 25 Shades of Pink
Pink azaleas of every shade exist now. You can find double pinks, purple pinks, bright pink, and the lightest of pinks. Here are some beautiful cultivars that we think you will love as much as we do!
Number | Azalea Cultivar | Shade of Pink | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Betty Ann Voss | Pink w/ purple tinge. Double flowers | Evergreen | June-July |
2 | Carline Gable | Pure pink | Evergreen | April |
3 | Gaiety | Rose pink | Evergreen | May |
4 | Gerard’s Jeremiah | Soft Pink | Evergreen | April-May |
5 | Glamour | Dusty rose pink | Evergreen | May |
6 | Gumpo Pink | Medium pink | Evergreen | June |
7 | Kaempo | Hot, neon pink | Evergreen | May-June |
8 | Macrantha Pink | Bright pink | Evergreen | May |
9 | Nancy of Robin Hill | Medium pink w/magenta spots | Evergreen | April |
10 | Rosebud | Double pink | Evergreen | May |
11 | Satsuki Amo | Dark pink, nearly red | Evergreen | May |
12 | Tradition | Lightest pink | Evergreen | April |
13 | Twenty Grand | True pink double | Evergreen | April |
14 | A. schlippenbachii | Pale pink | Deciduous | April |
15 | Candy Lights | Light pink with yellow stripes | Deciduous | April-May |
16 | Pink-a-Boo | Blush pink | Deciduous | May |
17 | Pink-n-Sweet | Lavender pink | Deciduous | May |
18 | Rosy Lights | Magenta with rose tinges | Deciduous | May-June |
19 | Tri-Lights | Pink w/white edges and yellow spots | Deciduous | April-May |
20 | Western Lights | Blush, clear pink | Deciduous | May-June |
21 | Irene Koster | Pink petals with yellow splotches | Deciduous | May-June |
22 | Mount St. Helens | Pink petals with yellow streaks | Deciduous | May-June |
23 | Snowbird | Whitish pink and pure white mixed | Deciduous | April |
24 | Weston’s Lollipop | Pink with flares of yellow. Highly scented | Deciduous | June |
25 | Weston’s Parade | Pink with a deep orange center. Scented | Deciduous | July |
Azalea Colors — 9 Shades of White
There is something so refreshing about the first blush of pure white azaleas in the early spring. Azaleas grow in pure white, double white, and extremely fragrant ruffly white. Here is a list of our favorite white azaleas.
Number | Azalea Cultivar | Shade of White | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cloud Nine | Pure double white | Evergreen | May |
2 | Everest | Pure white | Evergreen | May |
3 | Glacier | White w/blueish tinge | Evergreen | May |
4 | Gumpo White | Lace white | Evergreen | June |
5 | Pleasant White | Salt white grows in clusters | Evergreen | April-May |
6 | Treasure | Coconut white | Evergreen | May |
7 | O. occidentale | White w/pink or yellow blotches | Deciduous | May |
8 | Fragrant Star | Bright, bone white. Highly scented | Deciduous | May-June |
9 | White Lights | White with a yellow tinge. Fragrant | Deciduous | May-June |
Azalea Colors — 18 Shades of Red
Red azaleas have a wide range of shades. We love purplish red, pure blood red, bright crayon red, pink-tinged red, variegated red, and fire red. Here is a list of red-colored azaleas.
Number | Azalea Cultivar | Shade of Red | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Girard’s Crimson | Reddish purple w/dark red blotches | Evergreen | May |
2 | Hershey’s Red | Cherry red | Evergreen | May |
3 | Hexe | Carmine Red | Evergreen | May |
4 | Hino Crimson | Crimson Red | Evergreen | April |
5 | Mother’s Day | Bright Red | Evergreen | April |
6 | Sherwood Orchid | Violet Red | Evergreen | May |
7 | Silver Sword | Variegated Red | Evergreen | May |
8 | Stewartsonian | Blood Red | Evergreen | May |
9 | Tara Rose | Ruby Red | Evergreen | May |
10 | Vuyk’s Rosy Red | Rosy Red | Evergreen | April-May |
11 | Vuyk’s Scarlet | Scarlet Red | Evergreen | May |
12 | Ward’s Ruby | True Red | Evergreen | April |
13 | Fireball | Fire Red | Deciduous | May-June |
14 | King’s Red | Bright, nearly neon red | Deciduous | May-June |
15 | Mollala | Brick Red | Deciduous | May-June |
16 | Red Demon | Vermillion Red | Deciduous | April-May |
17 | Red Sunset | Garnet Red, leaves are very bright green | Deciduous | May |
18 | Wallowa Red | Deep mahogany red | Deciduous | May-June |
4 Purple Azaleas
Purple is such a fun color for any flower. In the Azalea kingdom, you can grow pure, true purple, orchid purple, violet purple, deep lilac, and lavender-colored flowers.
Number | Azalea Cultivar | Shade of Purple | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Herbert | True purple | Evergreen | April |
2 | Purple Splendor | Iris Purple | Evergreen | May |
3 | Lilac Lights | Deep Lilac | Deciduous | April-May |
4 | Orchid Lights | Orchid Purple | Deciduous | May |
6 Yellow Azaleas
The bright yellow flowers of Azaleas are a joy to watch as they emerge in the spring. There are azalea cultivars in blotchy yellow, lemon yellow, pale yellow, bright yellow, and multi-colored yellow. Here is a list of the best yellow Azaleas!
Number | Azalea Cultivar | Shade of Yellow | Type | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arneson Golden Solitare | Lemon yellow with multi-colored splotches | Deciduous | April-May |
2 | Cannon’s Double | Pale yellow w/pink streaks | Deciduous | May-June |
3 | Golden Lights | True Yellow. Fragrant | Deciduous | April-May |
4 | Lemon Lights | Sunshine Yellow | Deciduous | May-June |
5 | Northern Hi-Lights | Yellow with white mixed | Deciduous | April-May |
6 | Weston’s Lemon Drop | Butter Yellow. Slightly scented. | Deciduous | May-June |
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