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Azalea growing in a garden
Perennial shrub

Azalea plant profile

Rhododendron species

A perennial shrub for full sun.

Last updated .

When to plant

When to plant Azalea

Plant this broadleaf evergreen in spring or early fall, when soil is warm enough for root growth but the plant is not under summer heat stress. Extension guidance rates fall (early enough for roots to establish before the ground freezes) and spring as the two best planting windows for shrubs.

The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.

Open Azalea in my garden calendar

Shows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun
Soil pH
4.5 to 6
Lifecycle
Perennial
Spacing
48 to 60 in apart

Common problems

Watch for these

Also watch for: lace bugs, chlorosis in alkaline soil, root rot in wet soil.

Next steps

Continue with Azalea

Evidence trail

Evidence behind this profile

Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.

  1. Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pinxterbloom Azalea / Wild Azalea)

    North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.

  2. Planting Shrubs Correctly (HGIC 1052)

    Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.

  3. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) entry

    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.