Rhododendron viscosum
Also known as Azalea viscosum
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Sticky white tubular flowers open in early summer with a strong clove fragrance that carries a long way on a still evening. Rhododendron viscosum is a native deciduous azalea growing 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide in full sun to part sun, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 9.
Bloom comes in June and July, later than nearly every other azalea, which puts it well past the frost that catches the early ones and extends the season considerably.
The flowers are narrow and trumpet-shaped with long protruding stamens, and the outsides are covered in sticky glandular hairs. Color runs white to pale pink depending on the plant, since this is a variable species, and the buds often carry more pink than the open flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies come to them.
Swamp azalea grows wild in bogs, swamps, and along stream edges, which is why it takes wet ground and even standing water where most azaleas rot. It wants acidic soil, pH 4.5 to 6.0, and it will not tolerate alkaline conditions. Fall foliage turns bronze to purple.
Height 8'- 10' Spread 6'- 8'
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9
Lowest Temperatures -30°F to -20°F
Full sun to part sun- at least 4 hours direct sun per day
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WV
Fragrant
