Rhododendron vs Azalea: How to Tell the Difference: It’s hard to tell some plants apart from others. Rhododendrons and azaleas are two examples. At first glance, they look a lot alike because they both have fresh pink flowers in the spring.
Rhododendron vs Azalea: How to Tell the Difference
It’s possible that you bought the mystery plant on sale at the garden center or that you lost the tag years ago, but you can still make a good guess. To tell the difference between rhododendron and azalea, use these general tips.
Are Rhododendrons and Azaleas the Same?
The two plants are very similar to each other. As it turns out, azaleas are in the rhododendron genus. In this case, all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas.
These traits are common in most people. Even though these things are usually true, a rhododendron can sometimes act like an azalea (and the other way around!). It can be especially hard to tell the difference between hybrids and cultivars.
Differences Between Rhododendron and Azalea
How to Identify an Azalea
Size: Most azaleas aren’t very tall; some ground cover types only get 1 to 2 feet tall.
Foliage: Their leaves are narrow and pointy, and sometimes they are fuzzy. There are a lot of species that lose their leaves in the fall.
Blooms: The flowers are fan-shaped and spread out more on the stems. Also, they don’t have five or more stamens, which are the long parts that stick out from the middle of the flower.
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Azalea Care
“Azaleas prefer partial sun and acidic soil that is also moist and drains well,” says horticulturist Melinda Myers about how to take care of azaleas. The shallow roots of azaleas don’t do well in wet soil.
A 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, like pine straw, composted pine bark, or leaves, can be helpful for the soil around plants. This helps keep the soil moist, keeps weeds down, and keeps the roots from being too hot or too cold. To keep the stems dry, just pull the mulch away from them.
How to Identify a Rhododendron
Size: Rhododendrons are usually bigger flowering bushes, and some can get as wide as 20 feet.
Plant Parts: The leaves are mostly bigger, evergreen, and rougher than the azalea leaves. On the underside of the leaves of some species, there are spots that are sometimes called scales.
Flowers: Look for flowers that are grouped together at the end of the stems. They might look like bells and have 10 or more stamens.
Rhododendron vs Azalea: Get Expert ID Help
If you’re not sure whether a plant is a rhododendron or an azalea, it never hurts to ask someone else. For help, talk to the cooperative extension office or gardening club in your area. There are people who can help you find your plant and give you care tips.
You can also use our online form to ask Birds & Blooms a gardening question. Those who are chosen will get an answer from our garden experts in a future issue of the magazine.