Baker's Azalea Rhododendron x bakeri

Baker's azalea is a compact, native, woody, broadleaf evergreen or deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. Native to the eastern United States, it grows to 3 to 8 feet tall and wide and has dark-pink blooms. This is a natural hybrid of R. canescens and R. flammeum. The genus name derives from the Greek words rhodo, which means rose, and dendron, meaning tree.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained, acidic, humus-rich soil. It can tolerate soil that is occasionally wet. Plant it in partial shade, as it needs protection from the hot summer sun. Avoid over-fertilizing. Pruning, if desired, may be done after flowering. It may spread by stolons.

Baker’s azalea is at home as an understory shrub planted in groups in woodland or naturalized areas, or as a specimen in a pollinator garden where the flowers will attract hummingbirds and bees. 

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 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 one of the root rot-resistant alternative species listed in the left-hand sidebar. 

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.