woodland shrub
Flame Azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum
1 of 2Native to the Southeast and the Northeast
New York to southern Ohio, south to Georgia and Mississippi
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 12 ft to 3.7 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its red flowers peak in June. At up to 12 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Flame Azalea's red flowers bloom April to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws butterflies and moths.
Flame Azalea blooms red, orange & yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail also Spicebush Swallowtail
- Moths Snowberry Clearwing also Nessus Sphinx
- Bees Two-spotted Bumble Bee also Abrupt Digger Bee
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
- The Southeast and the NortheastUnited States (12): AL, GA, KY, MD, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- New York to southern Ohio, south to Georgia and MississippiThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Well-drained soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 12 ft (to 3.7 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
- Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, Orange, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.