shrub

Are you trying to figure out the remainder between an azalea and a rhododendron ? These two shrubs can confuse even the most experienced gardeners . In this article , horticulture expert Jill Drago look at the differences between these two blossom shrubs , as well as thier similarities .

Contents

Close up of two bunches of flowers. The ones on the left have five petals that are light pink on the edges and white with a splash of pale yellow on one petal. The leaves are green. Each flower has five thin light pink stamen. The flowers on the right grow in a ball shape, or truss, and are also white with light pink edges but they have a splash of dark pink freckles on one of the five petals. The leaves are dark green and long, hanging down away from the flower truss. Each flower has 10 stamen with dark tips.

azalea and rhododendron are beautiful flower shrubs that grace our garden with their flowers in the spring and early summer .   They are known to be some of the unfearing repeated shrubs that can be grown in quick climates .

Bothazaleasandrhododendronsbloom in a potpourri of people of colour , include pinkish , empurpled , white , violent , scandalmongering , and orange . Most varieties flourish in full to fond spook . They also have like temperature and clime penury .

With so many law of similarity between the two , where are they dissimilar ?   Maybe you would just like a few peak to help oneself you identify theseblooming shrub ! countenance ’s witness out the difference between rhododendron and azalea , and how to care for both .

Close up of two different shrubs. The one on the left has watermelon-pink trumpet shaped flowers that grow among oblong green leaves. The shrub on the right has a truss or ball-shaped cluster of bell-shaped flowers that are purple, growing among long oblong dark green leaves.

The Short Answer

This is a tricky one to sort out . All azalea are rhododendron , but not all rhododendrons are azaleas . This was best said by the American Rhododendron Society . There are more similarities than there are difference between azaleas and rhododendrons . They both bloom brightly in the spring , have plush foliation , and necessitate the same develop conditions . allow ’s break it down a bit further .

The Long Answer

There are so many similarity between rhododendrons and azaleas , specially how they see , it can beconfusing to tell the two apart . allow ’s die down in detail the differences that go under these two apart from one another .

Azaleas and rhododendron are so closely related they share the same genus , Rhododendron . Azaleas are a subspecies of the genusRhododendron . plant scientist conceive that there aretoo few botanic differencesbetween the two shrubs to make azalea its own genus .

Both azaleas and rhododendrons aremembers of the Ericaceae family . This plant family is made up mostly ofshrubs and little trees . The plants are always acid - loving , and largely evergreen . Other plants from this mob are blueberries , heath , and heather .

Two shrubs covered in blooming flowers. The one on the left has purple-pink ruffled flowers growing among ark green leaves in bright sunshine. The shrub on the right has several ball-shaped clusters of flowers that are white that have an ombre fade to pink on the petals with a freckled splash of pink on the top petal, growing among longer oblong dark green leaves.

you could find azalea and rhododendrons growing naturally inmany portion of the domain . However , the species that have been cultivate and become popular in our gardens are native to country in Asia as well as the southeastern United States .

Rhododendron flowers are bell - shaped , whereas azalea bloom are trumpet - regulate .

Azalea flower could be single , or double and any pas seul of petal quantity in between . Rhododendron flowers are clustered into groups of blossom calledtrusses . These truss could hold anywhere from 5 - 20 flowers depending on the variety .

Close up of two different flowers. The flower on the left has a single, solid pink flower with slightly darker pink freckles on the top center petal with the green foliage in the blurred background. The flower cluster on the right is in a ball shape, or truss, with white bell-shaped flowers that fade to bright pink on the ruffled edges. The oblong, dark green leaves grow from the bottom of the cluster.

As far as the size of it of each flower goes , it will vary greatly look on species and variety .

Each flower on a rhododendron or an azalea hasstamens . The difference here is the number of stamens . Azaleas have five stamens . Rhododendrons have 10 stamens .

Both azalea and rhododendron flowers can be one solid color , or they can have some freckling and splotch on their petals .

Close up of two different shrubs. The one on the left has pink trumpet shaped flowers that grow among oblong green leaves. The flowers have a red freckled splash on the top center petal. The shrub on the right has a truss or ball-shaped cluster of bell-shaped flowers that are white with bubblegum pink ruffled edges, growing among long oblong dark green leaves and more flower clusters.

Throughout all of the salmagundi of azalea and rhododendron , you will find themajority of these shrub are evergreen . There are azaleas that are deciduous , but there are also evergreen and semi - evergreen azaleas .

Between azaleas and rhododendrons , there is another assortment : elepidote vs. lepidote . Lepidoteleaves have tiny scale on them and are usually smaller leave .

Elepidote lead have large leaves and do not have any scales on the leaves . Azaleas have smaller leaf , however , they areelepidoteand incline to have tiny hair’s-breadth on their leaves .

Close up of the leaves of two different shrubs. The leaves on the left are shorter, oblong in shape, and have tiny hairs on the leaves giving them a slightly fuzzy appearance. The leaves on the right are longer, oblong, and waxy with slightly yellowing edges.

Both azaleas and rhododendrons have varieties that produce beautiful fall color . These colors tramp from bronze to deep loss and purple .

While there is always an elision to the rule , rhododendron will raise taller and full than most azaleas . On average azaleas will raise to about 4 - 6 infantry tall , and rhododendrons will grow to be around 8 - 12 feet . There are of course tall varieties of each .

Rhododendronsnever really stop originate , these mensuration are a projected average for a 10 - yr - old bush .

Two shrubs covered in blooming flowers. The one on the left has watermelon-pink solid flowers growing among green leaves. The shrub on the right has several ball-shaped clusters of flowers that are magenta, growing among longer oblong dark green leaves.

There are severaldwarf varieties of azaleathat are available at most garden centers and nurseries . These nanus varieties only rise about 1 - 3 feet tall . They are excellent for minor blank or container gardens .

Azaleas and rhododendron raise fairly and will produce less than one foot per year .

Care Requirements

Both rhododendrons and azalea are relegate as recurrent evergreen plant bush . This think of that theirleaves continue green all yeararound and they bloom every spring through summer . With the correct guardianship , these shrub should thrive in most environments .

Light

azalea have been hybridized to be tolerant of many different growing situations . They are a bit more tolerant of heat and sunlight than rhododendrons in oecumenical .

However , both azalea and rhododendrons do best inpartial shade . Too much shade and they wo n’t produce flower buds . Too much sun and the leave of absence and flowers will get scorched .

Planting your azaleas and rhododendrons under deciduous trees will provide the right amount of tone to your shrubs .

Close up of two different shrubs in bright sunlight. The one on the left has a few red trumpet-shaped flowers that grow among oblong dark green leaves with a slight fuzzy texture. The shrub on the right has a truss or ball-shaped cluster of bell-shaped flowers that are white with red freckles and ruffled petals, growing among long oblong dark green leaves.

Soil

dose soil has a pH of anywhere from4.6 - 6 , which is pretty acidulent . If you are unsure what the grease pH is in your country , I would advocate catch a soil trial run , or a pH run , done .

Rhododendrons and azalea will allow you make out if they are not rise in acidic soil . You may noticeyellow leaves .

If you need to turn down your pH to produce a happy nursing home for your rhododendron you’re able to add up wettable atomic number 16 which you’re able to find at your local garden center . Be sure to do a soil test before adding anything to your soil !

Close up of a yellowing leaf among green leaves of a rhododendron shrub. The leaves are oblong and have moisture on them.

Water

Both azaleas and rhododendron are shallow - settle down plants . Unlike other shrubs that have a long taproot , azalea and rhododendrons havefibrous root systemswhich typically will only be one or two feet deep .

Because of this type of root system , your azaleas and rhododendrons may dry out promptly if they are implant in verbatim sun or if you are experiencing a hot stretch of weather .

Ensure your plants are getting aboutone inch of water a week . Use mulch around the foundation of the industrial plant to facilitate maintain wet in the soil .

Close up of a green garden hose in green grass pouring water onto the base of a garden where young, flowerless evergreen shrubs are growing with dark green oblong leaves. Dark brown mulch covers the ground of the garden.

Too much piddle in the soil can be an issue for rhododendrons and azaleas . These bush are prostrate to root guff if they are sit in too much pee for too long . Aim for moist , well - drain grime and your shrubs will be in skilful shape .

Fertilizer

If you have nice fat soil for your azaleas and atomic number 8 to grow in , you may not involve to add together any additional fertilizer .

Adding compost to your garden is a slap-up way to boost soil prolificacy , especially if you are uncertain of the contentedness of the soil .

If you would like to sum up a granular fertilizer to your establish azaleas or rhododendron be certain to do so before July . add up fertilizer after that point will boost vegetative development when the shrubs should shift their vim into producing flower buds .

Close up of light pink azaleas flowers with five pink petals that have freckles on the top center petal growing in a small cluster at the end of a stem that has oblong green leaves. The background is blurred.

Diseases

Both azaleas and rhododendron are prostrate to issues with fungal diseases . These disease could be powdery mildew , petal blight , crust , or rust .

The good news about these diseases is that they are preventable and treatable for the most part . The best way to forestall these diseases from take grasp is tokeep your garden clear of debris such as foliage litter . Leaf litter could be convey fungal spore that are just waiting to splatter up on your healthy leaves .

If you need to treat your pathologic azalea and rhododendron seem for a atomic number 29 fungicide at your local garden center . Read the recording label thoroughly to see to it you apply at the correct clock time and at the appropriate pace .

Close up of diseased leaves. The green oblong leaves have several black spots covering the surface.

Pests

Azaleas and rhododendrons both deal with youraverage garden pestssuch as aphid , spider jot , and exfoliation .

Azaleas however seem to be a mo more at jeopardy for leaf miners , lace bug , and whitefly . These insects focus on eating and damaging the leave of the rhododendron .

Using a broad - spectrum insecticide will aid to curb these insects . you’re able to also practice horticultural oil to control these louse as well as many other bugs you may find in your yard .

Close up of the undersides of green oblong leaves that have several small white leaf hopper bugs on them. The background is blurry.

Plant Uses

Even though both azaleas and rhododendron can get quite large , they are actually very versatile shrubs in your landscape .

midget rhododendrons and azaleas are great choices for big containers and for border gardens . The larger salmagundi can be used in mass plantings , creatingswaths of bright colorin fishy areas .

Rhododendrons , and their evergreen plant leaves , are wonderful for privacy screens that will last and provide coverage throughout the winter month .

Garden of several flowering shrubs growing along the front porch of a house. The flowers are light pink but the last shrub has brighter pink flowers.

Quick Comparison

Final Thoughts

If you are unsure whether you have an azalea or a rhododendron arise in your K , hopefully , the above machine characteristic willhelp you identify your plant . Until you know for sure , keep your shrubs watered , and only prune as needed .