Rhododendron atlanticum Coastal Azalea

A delicate, deciduous azalea native to the coastal plain of the eastern United States where it thrives in the shaded sandy pinelands and other low lying ecosystems of the region. Plants form lightly branched stoloniferous colonies that average 4-5' in height and can extend for several acres under ideal conditions. That said, spread is often much more restricted under cultivation with plants generally developing into clumps only slightly broader than tall. Tubular, white or pale pink flowers are born in clusters of 4-10 and begin to appear in spring just as the blue-green foliage is starting to emerge. Each blossom emits a sweet, heavy perfume that draws in any nose that passes by. Plants perform happily in rich, evenly moist soil and are more adaptable to wet areas than most azaleas.