Native Plant of the Week: Swamp Azalea

Family: Ericaceae

Name: Rhododendron viscosum - Swamp Azalea

Bloom Time: June - July

Flower: White

Soil Condition: Moist, well-drained, rich

Light: Partial shade, morning sun

Height: 5-8' tall by 3-8' wide

Native Range: Eastern and Southern US including Long Island

Zone: 4-9

OkThe fragrant white blooms are a lovely bright white in early summer. This rhododendron is not evergreen but the fall foliage is quite pleasing in shades of yellow, orange, and purple. It is rabbit tolerant and so far the deer have stayed away from mine.

Maintenance: Keep the soil moist. Tolerates a little bit of drought. Does not tolerate standing water.

Benefits: Attracts the specialized bee: Andrena cornelli (Azalea miner), hummingbirds, and other native pollinators

Fun Facts: The species name 'viscosum' means sticky in Latin, referring to the sticky flowers.

Companion Plants: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans), Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Photo: Flower (KMS Native Plants)

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References:

1. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhododendron-viscosum/

2. https://newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1352

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