Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron periclymenoides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhododendron nudiflorum
- Phonetic Spelling
- rho-doh-DEN-dron per-ih-kly-men-OY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pinxterbloom azalea is a deciduous, woody shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that is native to moist woods, swamp margins, and open areas from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. It is a dense, bushy, suckering shrub that typically grows 2 to 6 feet (less frequently to 10 feet) tall. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.
This plant has a slow growth rate and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils in dappled shade with protection from afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. It does not tolerate dense clay, so if you have clay soil, amend with organic material. Plant the root ball high in the soil to help with drainage issues. Avoid overwatering and over-fertilizing. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering.
Pinxterbloom azalea would be at home as an understory shrub planted in groups in woodland or naturalized areas. It can also be used as a hedge or as a specimen in a butterfly or pollinator garden where the flowers will attract hummingbirds and bees.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, borers, lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips, and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
While rhododendrons remain very popular for landscape use, many cultivars are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot—this leads to leaf loss, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and wilting. Implement good cultural practices first, such as improving drainage with organic matter or berms and avoiding overwatering or overfertilization. For suitable alternatives, see this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rhododendron
- Species:
- periclymenoides
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Distribution:
- Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies are attracted to the blooms.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated capsule. Displays from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of soft pink (often cotton candy pink) to white to lavender, slightly fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers (to 1.5” across), each with 5 long curved stamens, 5 petals, bloom from April to May immediately preceding the emergence of the foliage.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Oblong to elliptic green leaves. The leaves are alternate, simple, smooth- or toothed-margined. It has dull yellow fall foliage.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
