Azaleas & Seasonal Blooms | Garden Aesthetics
Azaleas are highly sought after due to their colorful and unique blooms. In this blog you'll learn which cultivars bloom in each season, allowing you to have Azalea blooms throughout the year! We have many different types of Azaleas here at MrMaple.com. If you're looking for Azaleas that will bloom in Early Spring we'd recommend checking out our Kurume Azaleas Collection. Whereas for Late Spring, our Satsuki Azaleas Collection would be your best bet. Unfortunately there aren't any Azaleas that bloom during the winter. Deciduous Azaleas will have a leaf color change during this period and Evergreen Azaleas will retain their green leaves, allowing some difference of color during the Winter.
Spring Blooms: Which Azaleas bloom in the Spring?
Some Azalea cultivars are known as early bloomers, producing their stunning flowers in the spring. Planting these Azaleas will ensure a burst of color in your garden as winter fades away.
'Sunset Pink' is an exquisite Exbury hybrid azalea that boasts stunning pink semi-double blooms accentuated by a lovely yellow blotch. This captivating plant truly steals the show in any spring garden with its abundant display of blooms on the trusses. Over the course of 10 years, 'Sunset Pink' can reach a height of 6 feet and a width of 4 feet. To ensure its optimal growth, it is essential to provide this azalea with good drainage and ample organic matter during planting. Its beauty and charm make it a must-have addition to any garden or landscape.
'Weston’s Parade' is a stunning cold hardy deciduous azalea created by Ed Mezitt of Weston’s Nursery. Its hot pink trumpet blooms are truly remarkable, especially in late spring when the orange flare on each bloom becomes apparent. This azalea thrives in colder climates and maintains its vibrant green foliage throughout the spring and summer seasons. As autumn arrives, the leaves of 'Weston’s Parade' transition to a beautiful shade of orange to copper-bronze. To ensure its optimal growth, it is important to provide this azalea with acidic soil and proper drainage. Over a span of 10 years, 'Weston’s Parade' can grow to a height of 5-6 ft and a width of 3-4 ft. It is adaptable to both full sun and partial shade conditions.
'Jack A. Sand' is an extraordinary Exbury hybrid created by Knap Hill that showcases stunning double blooms. These blooms are truly breathtaking, displaying a mesmerizing array of colors including cream, white, yellow, peach, and red. As a spring bloomer, 'Jack A. Sand' can grow up to 6 feet in height and 4 feet in width over a span of 10 years. This cultivar thrives in Zones 5 to 8, making it a popular choice for gardeners in those regions. Its remarkable beauty and adaptability make it a must-have addition to any garden or landscape.
'Coral Bells' is a magnificent variety of Kurume azaleas, known for its stunning coral pink blooms. These azaleas are among the most impressive spring blooming plants. Despite their smaller size, the blooms cover every branch of the azalea, creating a breathtaking display. Over a period of 10 years, 'Coral Bells' can reach a height of 6-7 ft, making it a substantial addition to any garden. Originally known as 'Kirin' in Japan, this name was inspired by a mythical creature resembling a dragon-like horse, known for its rarity and awe-inspiring nature. As its name suggests, 'Coral Bells' adds a burst of vibrant spring color to any garden, making it a highly desirable choice.
If you are in search of a vibrant orange azalea that blooms beautifully in the spring, 'Tangerine Delight' is the perfect choice for your garden in the South. This exceptional hybrid has proven its resilience in higher heat zones, particularly zone 9. The stunning orange color of this azalea adds a delightful touch to any outdoor space. Bred by George Beasley at Transplant Nursery, 'Tangerine Delight' is widely regarded as one of the top deciduous azaleas for zones 8 and 9. With proper watering, this azalea can grow to a height of 6-7 ft within a decade, resembling the breathtaking beauty of a mountain azalea.
The 'Irish Cream' azalea is a stunning plant that blooms in the mid-to-late spring season. Its beautiful creamy white flowers, measuring 3-4 inches in diameter, are truly a sight to behold. Each bloom is adorned with a charming yellow-green blotch, adding to its allure. The name 'Irish Cream' perfectly captures the essence of this delightful azalea. With its low mounding habit, it can grow to a height of 2-3 feet and spread out to a width of 3-4 feet over a span of 10 years. Interestingly, this azalea was previously identified as 'HS 85-08-03' before being named 'Irish Cream'.
Summer Blooms: Which Azaleas bloom in the Summer?
As spring transitions into summer, certain Azalea cultivars take center stage with their captivating blooms. Adding these Azaleas to your garden will keep it looking lively and beautiful during the warmer months.
Weston's Pennsylvania' is a resilient deciduous azalea that blooms late in the season. Its striking deep pink flowers with orange yellow throats become even more captivating as the orange flare emerges on each bloom. The blooming period of 'Weston's Pennsylvania' spans from June to August. Throughout spring and summer, this azalea showcases attractive green foliage. As autumn arrives, the leaves transition to shades of orange and copper-bronze. To ensure optimal growth, it is recommended to provide 'Weston's Pennsylvania' with acidic soil and proper drainage. Over a span of 10 years, this azalea can reach a height of 5-6 ft and a width of 3-4 ft. It thrives in areas with full sun to partial shade.
'Nuccio's Wild Cherry' is a stunning Satsuki Azalea hybrid introduced by Nuccio Nursery in California. This compact plant showcases beautiful large cherry pink red flowers during late spring to early summer. Over a period of 10 years, 'Nuccio's Wild Cherry' can grow up to 3-4 ft in both height and width. It is highly suitable for container gardening or can be transformed into an exquisite bonsai.
'Gumpo White' is a highly popular Satsuki Azalea variety renowned for its exquisite medium-sized white ruffled flowers that bloom from late spring to summer. Its compact and tight growth habit adds to its appeal, making it the perfect choice for small spaces, containers, or bonsai cultivation. This versatile plant will undoubtedly enhance the beauty and charm of your garden and landscape. With its stunning blooms and compact form, 'Gumpo White' is a must-have for any azalea enthusiast.
'Ribbon Candy' is a delightful addition to any summer garden, boasting clusters of stunning pink blooms adorned with a yellow blotch and a beautifully striped white center. Not only does 'Ribbon Candy' enhance the visual appeal of the garden, but it also fills the air with a pleasant fragrance. Over the span of 10 years, this remarkable plant can grow to a height of 4-6 ft and a width of 3-4 ft. In warmer climates, it is advisable to provide some protection from the intense afternoon sun. Developed by the renowned Ed Mezitt of Weston Nurseries, 'Ribbon Candy' is known for its exceptional cold tolerance and hardiness.
Fall Blooms: Which Azaleas bloom in the Fall?
While most Azaleas bloom in spring and summer, there are cultivars that save their spectacular display for the fall season. These late bloomers include the 'Roble', 'Higasa', and 'Weston's Lollipop' By planting these Azaleas, you can extend the blooming season in your garden and enjoy their breathtaking flowers even as the weather cools down.
'Watchet' is a beautiful shrub that blooms in both mid-spring and fall. It features large, ruffled light pink flowers with a white throat, measuring about 3-4 inches in size. Despite its showy blooms, 'Watchet' has a low mounding habit and reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 3-4 feet over a period of 10 years. This cultivar is a Robin Hill hybrid created by Robert Gartrell, a remarkable individual known for his diverse interests and accomplishments, including being a chemist, plant breeder, classical music lover, woodworker, avid reader, and even holding a patent for a backstop for rifle targets. The name 'Watchet' is likely derived from a harbor town in England with the same name.
The 'Momo no haru' Satsuki azalea is a stunning evergreen shrub that blooms in a vibrant, rich pink-purple color. Its blooms measure about 1.5 inches in width. What makes this azalea unique is that it flowers not only in the spring but also in the fall. Over a period of 10 years, 'Momo no haru' can reach a height of 1-2 feet and a width of 4 feet. This low spreading dwarf variety is highly regarded for its bonsai potential, as demonstrated by the incredible specimens cultivated by John O. Lee. The name 'Momo no haru' translates to "Spring of Peach" in Japanese, which perfectly captures the beauty and grace of this azalea.
'Weston's Lollipop' is a delightful cold-hardy deciduous azalea variety created by the skilled hybridizer Ed Mezitt from Weston's Nursery. This stunning cultivar boasts large, eye-catching pink blooms that become even more captivating as the yellow flare emerges on each petal during late spring. Not only does this azalea showcase its beauty, but it also offers attractive green foliage throughout the spring and summer seasons. As the fall sets in, the leaves of 'Weston's Lollipop' transform into a mesmerizing shade of red orange. To ensure optimum growth, it is recommended to provide this azalea with acidic soils and proper drainage. Over time, 'Weston's Lollipop' can reach an impressive height of 5-6 feet within a decade.
Winter Months: Which Azaleas are best suited for Winter?
If you want to enjoy Azaleas throughout the entire year, consider planting evergreen Azalea cultivars. These varieties retain their foliage during the winter. By strategically selecting evergreen Azaleas, you can ensure a continuous display of color in your garden, regardless of the time of year.
Developed at the University of Minnesota as a member of the Northern Lights series, 'Lemon Lights' is a breed specifically adapted to thrive in cold climates. This stunning deciduous azalea showcases beautiful, lemon yellow clusters of fragrant flowers during the spring season. With a growth potential of 4-6 ft in height and 3-4 ft in width over a decade, 'Lemon Lights' is an excellent addition to any landscape or garden. However, it should be noted that in Zone 7 and 8, it is advisable to shield 'Lemon Lights' from the intense afternoon sun to ensure its optimal growth and well-being.
The Northern Lights series, developed by the University of Minnesota, offers a range of cold-hardy deciduous azaleas, including the stunning 'Mandarin Lights'. This particular variety is renowned for its ability to thrive in colder climates and is easy to cultivate. Its vibrant mandarin orange blooms make a striking statement in the garden, appearing before the leaves emerge. 'Mandarin Lights' is ideal for mass plantings, and its breathtaking blooms are sure to captivate onlookers. Over a span of 10 years, this azalea can grow to a height of 4-5 ft and a width of 3-4 ft. If you reside in warmer zones, it's advisable to provide some shade from the hot afternoon sun to ensure optimal growth.
The University of Minnesota has introduced a stunning cold-hardy azalea variety called 'Northern Hi-Lights'. This exceptional plant showcases beautiful bicolor blooms, with primarily white petals adorned with a vibrant yellow blotch that covers an entire petal. The unique design of this azalea makes it a photographer's delight. In addition to its visual appeal, 'Northern Hi-Lights' also captivates the senses with its sweet fragrance. Over a span of 10 years, this azalea can grow up to 6 feet in height and spread out to 4 feet in width, making it a magnificent addition to any garden.
In the pursuit of creating a florist-friendly azalea variety in the North, Dr. Charles Fischer, a resident of Linwood, NJ, embarked on a hybridization project. His goal was to develop a cold-tolerant azalea with double blooms that could be easily forced into flowering. Additionally, the flowers had to possess exceptional beauty. After careful selection and crossbreeding, Dr. Fischer successfully created the 'Hardy Gardenia' azalea variety. This stunning cultivar features elegant, 2.5-inch double hose-in-hose blooms in a pure white color, which adds charm and character to any garden. Despite its slow growth rate, 'Hardy Gardenia' can reach a height and width of 3-4 feet over a span of 10 years.
'Girard's Rose' is a stunning azalea variety that was developed by Girard's Nursery in Ohio. This compact shrub is known for its vibrant red blooms that completely cover the plant, creating a beautiful display. However, what truly sets 'Girard's Rose' apart is its smaller size and exceptional cold tolerance. Over a span of 10 years, it can reach a height of 2 feet and a width of 3 feet, making it an ideal choice for container gardens or smaller areas in the landscape. With its compact form and stunning flowers, 'Girard's Rose' is a perfect addition to any garden.
Azaleas offer a wide range of cultivars, each with its own blooming habits and characteristics. By selecting a variety of Azaleas that bloom at different times of the year, you can create a garden that is bursting with color throughout all seasons. Whether you prefer early bloomers, mid-season varieties, late bloomers, or evergreen Azaleas, there is a cultivar to suit your preferences. Start planning your Azalea garden today and enjoy the beauty and vibrancy these stunning flowers bring to your outdoor space.
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