Wild Azalea
Rhododendron canescens
Family: Ericaceae
Natural History
Showy flowers of wild azalea
Photo credit: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
Wild azalea is a deciduous, multi-branched shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall with fragrant, showy pink and white, clustered tubular flowers that appear in the spring. Wild azalea occurs in habitats with moist soil but is also drought tolerant. It attracts wildlife such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds which makes this shrub a popular landscape plant.
The wild azalea grows near edges of streams and swamps. It can be found from Florida, north to Pennsylvania and southwest to Texas.
Various mammals and birds use wild azalea for cover and shelter. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds use wild azalea as a source of nectar.
Wild azalea is a popular landscape plant because it is a beautiful, fragrant, low maintenance shrub and it attracts wildlife.