Early Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

Also known as: Early Azalea, Election Pink, Roseshell Azalea

Add to compareAdded to compare0

Prized for its delightful fragrance and stunning floral display, Rhododendron prinophyllum (Roseshell Azalea) is a vigorous and showy deciduous Azalea. Rhododendron prinophyllum is a native azalea that can be found from southwestern Quebec, through New England and northern Ohio, to the Appalachian Mountains at higher elevations.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Rhododendron prinophyllum, also known as the Early azalea or Roseshell Azalea, is a rhododendron species native to the eastern and southern United States.

It grows in scidic thickets or bogs, swampy to dry, rocky woods, bluffs, ravines, or along streams at elevations of 100-1500 m above sea level.

Early azalea is a deciduous shrub which reaching up to 3m tall with smooth to vertically furrowed, shredding stems that have scattered, multicellular eglandular-hairy, other-wise densely to sparsely unicellular-hairy twigs that carry ovate to obovate, 3-9 x 1.2-3.7 cm, thin, membranous, margins entire, plane, conspicuously ciliate, eglandular-hairy (hairs ascending away from margins) leaves.

Roseshell azalea blooms in spring from the 4-13-flowered inflorescences that carry pink, funnel shaped, fragrant (spicy-scented) flowers that open before or with leaves. The corolla is usually bright pink, without blotch on the upper lobe.

Early Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Rhododendron prinophyllum need ample protection from wind and direct afternoon sun. Do not plant them in windy spots. Around buildings, they do best on the east or north side. In open areas, they like alternating sun and shade. Plants may survive continuous shade if trees have branches pruned high. Fences, shrubbery, or screens may also give protection from afternoon sun.

Temperature

In spring and summer, the ideal temperature for growth is 18–22 ° C. In autumn and winter, these plants goes to a rest period which last 1.5 – 2 months with a temperature of 12–15 ° C. Winter damage may occur at infrequent intervals, usually due to lack of dormancy in the plant when cold weather occurs. To help develop winter hardiness, avoid adding large amounts of nitrogen after July.

Watering

Roseshell azalea need ample water during the summer. If they are planted under wide eave overhangs, furnish water during the entire year. Keep in mind that although these plants need moisture, they will not thrive in wet, poorly aerated soils.

Use mulches to control weeds, conserve moisture, and provide more uniform soil temperatures. Mulches can be made of sawdust, bark dust, peat moss, straw, or other organic materials. If these materials are incorporated into the soil after serving as a mulch, add some nitrogen to assist in decomposition of the woody materials.

Avoid excessive irrigation in fall. Plants kept dry in September will tend to harden off and be better prepared for the winter. If the fall has been excessively dry, watering should be done after the first killing frost. At that time watering will not reduce winter hardiness but will prepare the plant for winter. The soil should be thoroughly moist before cold weather sets in. The best time for fall watering is about Thanksgiving.

Substrate, growing media and repotting

Early azalea grow best in well drained soils that contain an abundance of organic matter. The addition of leaf mold, peat moss, or other organic matter will help almost all soils. They prefer acid soils with a pH of roughly 4.5-5.5. When planting, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Mix the excavated soil with soil amendments and place enough improved soil in the bottom of the hole so the top of the root ball is slightly higher than the surrounding soil. Fill the hole to the top, watering as you fill to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Allow the plant to establish itself in the new location before adding any fertilizer.

When properly grown, the plant can be transplanted successfully at any time of year if they are given special care in watering and protection from drying and freezing. The ideal time to transplant these plants is during their dormant season, either in the fall or early spring while temperatures are cool and soil moisture is plentiful.

Fertilizing

Avoid the excessive use of lime or alkaline fertilizers around azalea and rhododendron plants. If necessary, apply nitrogen fertilizers or mixtures (either organic or inorganic) containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium soon after flowering in the spring. Relative merits of an organic fertilizer as compared to a chemical fertilizer depend on whether the slow availability and less frequent application of the organic type can justify the extra cost. A light application of a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants may be added to the surface before the mulch is applied. Fertilizing should be done in April or May, but don’t fertilize after July. Late summer fertilization may force out tender fall growth that will be killed by the winter.

Pruning

If new plants are selected properly, taking into consideration mature plant size and space to be filled, little pruning should be necessary. Remove dead and injured branches. If pruning is necessary, prune the plants soon after flowering to allow flower bud formation for the following year. “Dead-heading” is a pruning operation that involves removing spent flower clusters. It should be done annually.

The plants’ form can be improved by pinching out the soft, new shoots of vigorous growing plants. Do not pinch after July because flower buds will not have time to develop for the following year.

Propagation

Rhododendron prinophyllum can be propagated by air layering or stem cuttings. They can self-propagate by sending up shoots from the roots. Sometimes an attached branch that has dropped to the ground will root in damp mulch, and the resulting rooted plant then can be cut off the parent rhododendron. Cuttings may be made at any time, but June to July cuttings seem most ideal for rooting azaleas, and August to September cuttings seem best for rhododendrons. Make cuttings 3 to 4 inches long, remove lower leaves, and place the cut end in the rooting medium. Equal parts of peat moss and clean sharp builder’s sand make an ideal rooting medium. After roots are formed, place the plants in pots or in a protected area and keep well watered.

III. Uses and Benefits

Roseshell Azalea is perfect for shrub borders or mixed borders, as a flowering hedge or privacy screen, foundation plantings, and shade gardens. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds.

Early Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum) Details

Common name

Early Azalea, Election Pink, Roseshell Azalea

Botanical name

Rhododendron prinophyllum

Family

Ericaceae

Species

prinophyllum

Origin

Eastern North America

Life cycle

Plant type

Hardiness zone

, , , ,

Sunlight

Maintenance

Soil condition

Soil ph

Drainage

Spacing

3 ft. – 6 ft.

Harvest time

Flowering period

Height

2 ft. – 8 ft.

Width

2 ft. – 8 ft.

Flower color

,

Leaf color

,

Fruit type

Flower benefit

Garden style

Uses

Dimensions
Dimensions 63630675053 × 63630675017 cm
You may be interested
  • Epiphyte

    Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

    Zone: 10, 11
    Growth rate: Medium
    Starting at: $39.00
  • Native Plant

    Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

    Zone: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Growth rate: Medium
    Starting at: $23.99
  • Annual

    Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

    Zone: 10, 11
    Growth rate: Fast
    Starting at: $8.95
  • Native Plant

    Swamp Spanish Oak (Quercus palustris)

    Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Growth rate: Fast
    Starting at: $49.95