Swamp Azalea

A scented, very reliable, pretty azalea with slender petals, Rhododendron viscosum is a deciduous shrub with a rather lax, bushy habit. The small, strongly navided, palmate leaves are deep green with blue-green undersides, and turn shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn before leaf-fall. White, pink-flushed, strongly scented, trumpet-shaped flowers, up to 1 ½”/4cm wide, appear from May to June, so plant near a path or garden seat where you can appreciate the lovely scent. This azalea must have moist, acid soil, so is useful where you have a damp patch where not much else will grow. Don’t plant azaleas too deeply – plant at the soil-level in the pot. Azaleas have shallow roots, so mulch thickly with leaf-mould in early spring to conserve moisture. Needs minimal pruning. Azalea viscosum can also be grown in ericaceous compost in a large container.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Moist but well drained, humus-rich, acid soil
Position: Lightly dappled shade or full sun, with shade during the hottest period
Season of interest: Late spring to midsummer in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height:  5-8’ (1.5-2.5m) Spread: 5-8’ (1.5-2.5m) in 10-20 years