12. Cascade
A true showstopper, in early spring ‘Cascade’ is covered with clouds of ruffled, snow white flowers that are lightly accented with chartreuse to peachy rose freckles.
Its low, spreading form is well-suited for foundations, islands, raised beds, rockeries, and naturalized settings. And in winter, the medium dark green foliage turns an attractive yellowish green.
Plants grow three to four feet tall and spread four to six feet. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Container plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
13. Chinzan
A charming dwarf variety, ‘Chinzan’ is covered in masses of intense hot-to-salmon pink flowers in the early spring and reblooms from midsummer through fall.
These compact, mounding shrubs are perfect for low borders, containers, foundations, islands, or planted en masse.
Shrubs grow two to three feet tall and spread three to four feet. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Container plants are available at Home Depot.
14. Conversation Piece
Sure to get people talking, the impressive tri-colored flowers of ‘Conversation Piece’ feature pale rose petals with whitish edges and magenta streaks.
Plants bloom in late spring and maintain a steady show of flowers through summer and fall.
The compact, mounded form makes an excellent addition to beds, borders, butterfly gardens, containers, and rockeries.
Plants have a rounded growth of two to three feet and are hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Container plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
15. Encore Series
The Encore® series of azaleas are loved for their extended bloom time – the first flush produces masses of flowers in mid-spring. And after a brief rest, they rebloom from midsummer until frost.
Several also offer the bonus of colorful fall foliage that turns shades of bronze, burgundy, purple, and red in cold temperatures. And Encore® plants take full sun better than many other cultivars.
Well-suited for perennial beds, containers, foundations, and hedges, shrubs have a tidy, rounded growth that reaches four to five feet high with a four-foot spread.
Dwarf cultivars have a height and spread of three feet. Plants are hardy in Zones 6 to 10.
Container plants are available at Plants By Mail in bubblegum pink (‘Autumn Carnation’), deep coral (‘Autumn Embers’)and two-tone pink and mauve (‘Autumn Twist’).
16. Flame Creeper
Compact and colorful, ‘Flame Creeper’ is prized for its masses of small, coral-to-cherry red flowers that bloom in late spring and continue through fall.
Petite with a rounded form, plants are ideally suited to low barriers, containers, foundations, ground covers, and rockeries.
The attractive mid-green foliage takes on a pleasing reddish hue in winter.
Shrubs grow two to three feet high with a similar spread. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Container plants are available at Home Depot.
17. Formosa
Bold, large, and showy, ‘Formosa’ flowers are a delightful lavender pink with magenta freckles and streaks on the upper petals.
Flowering in early spring, they often rebloom throughout summer and fall.
The large plants have a robust, rounded form that make fantastic flowering hedges, privacy screens, or mass plantings.
Shrubs are known to handle heat well and reach a mature height and spread of six to eight feet. Hardy in Zones 8 to 9, or possibly 10.
Container plants can be purchased from Home Depot.
18. George L. Taber
A prolific rebloomer, ‘George L. Taber’ has delightful orchid pink flowers with a spray of magenta freckles on the upper petals.
Shrubs are covered with flowers in early spring and give a second, lighter flush in early fall.
A large cultivar, it makes a solid choice for foundations, hedges, mass plantings, privacy screens, and naturalized areas.
Shrubs grow six to eight feet tall with a spread of five to six feet. Hardy in Zones 8 to 10.
Container plants are available at Perfect Plants Nursery.
19. Hot Shot Girard
Dazzling in the mid-spring garden, Hot Shot Girard® aka ‘Girard’s Hot Shot’ features masses of large and ruffled chili red flowers that smother the dark green foliage – which also has an orangey red tint in fall and winter.
The compact, mounding growth is ideal for low barriers, borders, patio containers, cottage gardens, and rockeries.
Plants have a height and spread of two to three feet and are hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Container plants are available at Nature Hills Nursery.
20. Karen
With rich, lavender-pink blossoms flared with magenta, ‘Karen’ makes a striking statement in the mid-spring landscape.
The deep green foliage takes on attractive coppery red hues in fall and winter, adding late season interest.
The trim, rounded growth makes a good choice for borders, containers, cottage gardens, foundations, and woodland fringes.
Shrubs have a tidy height and spread of three to four feet. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8.
Container plants are available from Nature Hills Nursery.
21. Midnite Flare
An ARS winner, ‘Midnite Flare’ sizzles in the landscape with a profusion of fiery, crimson red flowers in early spring.
The lustrous deep green foliage has a light bronze cast and turns a deep wine red in fall.
Charming when planted in borders, foundations, low screens, naturalized settings, and beside ponds or reflecting gardens, shrubs grow three to four feet tall with a spread of three to five feet, and are hardy in Zones 6 to 9.
Container plants are available at Home Depot.
Impressive, Showy Performers
A colorful addition to any landscape, azaleas are easy to grow and last for years.
They’re reliable and low maintenance, with impressive, showy performances that improve as they age.
And with such a vast selection of cultivars, there’s one – or several – sure to be suitable for all your garden needs!
Have you decided which azaleas to add to your yard? Let us know how you use them in the comments section below.
And for more information about growing azaleas in your gardenbe sure to check out these articles next:
