woodland shrub
Early azalea
Rhododendron prinophyllum
Native to much of the USA
New Hampshire to southern Quebec, south to northwestern North Carolina and Kentucky; also southern Illinois to eastern Texas
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 15 ft to 4.6 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for full shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 15 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Moths Snowberry Clearwing
also Hummingbird Clearwing, Nessus Sphinx, White Slant-line +1 more
Slender Clearwing - Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee, Azalea Mining Bee
- Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail also Spicebush Swallowtail, Hobomok Skipper
- Also visited by
- Flower flies: Greater Bee Fly
- Wasps: Common Aerial Yellowjacket
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Eastern tiger swallowtailnectar
- Spicebush swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (21): AR, CT, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- New Hampshire to southern Quebec, south to northwestern North Carolina and Kentucky; also southern Illinois to eastern TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Thin, well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 15 ft (to 4.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.