Appearance

Appearance

It is a rounded deciduous shrub, usually 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) tall and wide in gardens. Broad green leaves cluster near branch tips and can turn yellow, orange, or red in fall.

Flowering time

In North Carolina gardens, pale pink to white flowers open in April and May, often as the leaves emerge.

Fruit

Dry capsules mature in fall and hold the seeds.

Look-alikes

Korean rhododendronRhododendron mucronulatum

Korean rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum) usually flowers before its leaves expand. Royal azalea opens with its broad leaves, which cluster near the ends of the branches.

Why they get mixed up · Both are deciduous East Asian azaleas with pink spring flowers and are grown in U.S. gardens.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• woodland gardens
• part-shade borders
• garden focal points

Range

It is native to Korea and nearby parts of northeastern Asia. In the United States it is grown as an ornamental rather than occurring naturally.

Preferred conditions

It prefers dappled sun or open shade and moist, acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Flowering

Flowers Apr–May

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Flowers

Flowers Apr–May

Growing it

Care

It grows in hardiness zones 4a–6b and needs good drainage. Dense clay and waterlogged soil can lead to root problems.

Toxicity

Flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, and other parts are toxic to people and pets if eaten.

Connected species

Pollinators

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in U.S. gardens.

Pollinators

• beesAnthophila

  Bees visit the flowers in U.S. pollinator gardens.

• butterfliesPapilionoidea

  Butterflies also visit the flowers in U.S. gardens.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

White-flowered plants occur within the species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories

• The scientific name honors Baron Alexander von Schlippenbach, who brought the plant to the attention of botanists.