Flame Azalea

Rhododendron calendulaceum

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 6-12′

Width at Maturity: 4-8′

Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow, Gold, Apricot

Flower Size: Large 3″

Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer

Flower Type: Single, Trumpet-shape

Fragrant Flowers: Slight fragrance

Foliage Color: Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

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

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Dry

Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.0 (Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Drought (when established), Disease, Humidity, Cold, Insect

Description

Winner of the Rhododendron Of The Year Award by the American Rhododendron Society for the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, North East and North West regions, Rhododendron calendulaceum, commonly known as Flame Azalea, is regarded as one of if not the most spectacular of North American Native Plants. This flaming beauty dominates the landscape in mid-spring to early summer (depending on location) with abundant clusters of candle flame shaped buds that open to large, 3-inch trumpet-shaped flowers in brilliant, fiery shades of scarlet, orange, yellow or apricot! Long, elegant stamens up to several inches in length protrude from the trumpets. Summer foliage is medium green and the fall color is subdued yellow to red. Very easy to grow in USDA Zones 5 through 8 and is tolerant of dry soils when established.

Winner of the Rhododendron Of The Year Award by the American Rhododendron Society. It is native primarily to woodland slopes and mountain balds in the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsylvania to Georgia however performs well in the the North West region.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 6 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide, the Flame Azalea is perfect for use a specimen or in clusters in woodland borders or other shady to partially shaded areas. To flower its best provide a few hours of sunlight per day or all-day filtered sun. As this native azalea grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small specimen tree for use in home foundation plantings or landscape borders. Also useful in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to azalea gardens, native plant gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: Plant 10 feet or more for space between plants

Growing Preferences

The Flame Azalea is very easy to grow on well-drained moist to dry soils and part shade. To flower its best the plant will appreciate at least a few hours of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or evening hours, though will tolerate some sun or filtered sun in the afternoon hours. Once established, this species is exceptionally drought tolerant, requiring an occasionally watering only during prolonged periods of dry summer weather. Native azaleas are very low-maintenance requiring little if any pruning. That said, plants respond very well to pruning for shaping purposes.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for native azaleas.

How To Plant & Care For Native Azaleas

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Great packing and a very healthy plant . Will definitely order more of your beautiful azaleas .—————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My first time purchase from Wilson and I didn’t know what to expect. My azalea came in perfect healthy condition as it was boxed very well. I’’m eager to see it bloom next year as the bloom season has already passed for this year.————————————————-Thanks for the awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived healthy and moist despite being shipped during a heat spell. Very happy with size and leafiness. Put it in the ground a couple of weeks ago and it seems to be thriving.————————————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Though we received this plant almost a month ago, I’ve waited until now for a review–until we got it planted and it bloomed. The flowers are truly spectacular, and I look forward to years of floral splendor. It’s a treasure.
Let me add that Wilson Brothers Gardens gave superb service; I have never received a plant so well-packaged and in such good shape. Even though we live in a retirement community with little gardening space, I will certainly turn to Wilson when we need plants they offer.——————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The calendulacium arrived in good condition promptly. I highly recommend this shrub.————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered two flame azaleas for my backyard to be planted in the fall. The plants look healthy and arrived well packed. Can’t wait until it is time for them to bloom.———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My order of a 3-gallon Flame Azalea arrived packed well and in great shape. I have transplanted it to a larger container in anticipation of planting it in a month or so after I transplant a camellia that is living in my azalea’s future forever home. I guess the real test will be in the spring when its first blooms arrive. I feel lucky getting this hard-to-find
species and really appreciate the service (and free shipping!) all the way to the PNW!———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Received the plant promptly. It was packaged well and was very healthy. Very pleased with the experience.——————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂