NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhododendron canescens

Piedmont Azalea, Southern Pinxter Azalea, Wild Azalea, Hoary Azalea, Mountain Azalea, Florida Pinxter Azalea

Scientific Name:	Rhododendron canescens
Genus:	Rhododendron
Species Epithet:	canescens
Common Name:	Piedmont Azalea, Southern Pinxter Azalea, Wild Azalea, Hoary Azalea, Mountain Azalea, Florida Pinxter Azalea
Plant Type	Shrub
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	3-6 ft., 6-12 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Pink
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	March, April, May
Growing Area:	Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Swamps, pocosins, and savannas. In NC, generally uncommon or infrequent in the southern Coastal Plain; not common or widespread. Apparently not native to the NC Piedmont or mountains.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Important for Wildlife
Landscape Value:	Highly Recommended and Available
State Rank:	S2: Imperiled, S3: Vulnerable ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	There are a few widely scattered records in the eastern Piedmont and possibly in the mountains – apparently incorrectly identified. Fragrant.
Close-up of swollen terminal buds garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Beautiful pink flowers and buds garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Narrow and long flower tube garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Spectacular! garden in Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Medium-sized shrub Orange County, NC, cultivated Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record