woodland shrub
Pinkshell azalea
Rhododendron vaseyi
1 of 2Native to North Carolina
Mountains of North Carolina
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May 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. Its red flowers peak in May. At up to 15 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 Pinkshell azalea's red flowers bloom April to May, peaking in May. This early-spring ephemeral draws butterflies and bees.
Pinkshell azalea blooms redFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- North CarolinaUnited States (1): NC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Mountains of North CarolinaThe 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.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained soilThe 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
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- RedThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.