Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Eleanor Dietrich, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

swamp azalea

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Rhododendron viscosum

Family:

Ericaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

5-15 ft tall by to 12 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant for moist shady areas. Shady rain gardens.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Root cuttings, layering, seed.

Light:

Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic

Soil pH:

Highly acidic to acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Hummingbirds



  • Attracts pollinators especially bumble bees.


  • Attracts butterflies.


Attracts  hummingbirds.

Native Habitats:

Moist-wet sites. Seep swamps, pineland-wetland ecotones, edges of bay swamps, moist woods.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Poisonous if eaten.

General Comments:

The most aromatic of the azaleas. That last of the azaleas to bloom--in Florida May to June. Flowers are sticky--hence the name R. viscosum.