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Pinkshell Azalea Rhododendron vaseyi

Previously known as:

  • Biltia vaseyi
Phonetic Spelling
rho-doh-DEN-dron vah-SAY-ee
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Pinkshell azalea is a woody, broadleaf evergreen or deciduous shrub in the  Ericaceae (blueberry) family that is native only to the mountains of North Carolina and Massachusetts. It is found growing near bogs and streams in acidic, moist and wet substrates. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a rounded irregular habit. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.

Plant in full sun to partial shade for best blooming in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. It does not tolerate dense clay, so if you have clay soil, amend with organic material. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering. 

It is an early blooming azalea and the pink flowers appear before the leaves do, making them stand out even better. The flowers lack the trumpet form of most native azaleas and are flatter in shape. Fall foliage is red to burgundy if it gets some sun.

Use in a woodland, pollinator, or native garden as a specimen or in groups. It may also be used as a hedge or in foundation plantings.

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. 

While these shrubs 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. However, if you have a site with a history of this disease, consider planting a root rot-resistant alternative species.

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.

More information on Rhododendron.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Pinkerbell'
  • 'White Find'
'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#deciduous#poisonous#specimen#pink flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#NC native#foundation planting#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#wet soils tolerant#mammals#butterfly friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Pinkerbell'
  • 'White Find'
'Pinkerbell', 'White Find'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#deciduous#poisonous#specimen#pink flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#NC native#foundation planting#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#wet soils tolerant#mammals#butterfly friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#Audubon#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhododendron
    Species:
    vaseyi
    Family:
    Ericaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    NC, MA
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli. Tolerates damage by rabbits.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Irregular
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Elongated capsule slits in the middle. Displays from August to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1.5- 2.25-inch soft pink flowers with orange freckles in the throat. Appear in clusters before leaves emerge. Blooms from April-May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple medium green leaves are 2-5 inches long. Deep burgundy fall color if grown in some sun.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Andromedotoxin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems