Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Ericaceae>Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder
Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) flowers

Dwarf Azalea is a showy low deciduous shrub of the Coastal Plain with fragrant white to pink flowers that appear with or before leaf emergence.

Holly Shelter Game Land, Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) flower

Flower detail.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Typical habitat in the understory of a Longleaf Pine forest.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

An old capsule from the previous year.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/08.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Dwarf Azalea is very similar to Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), which blooms after the leaves emerge, from late May through June. Bloom time is the easiest way to separate the two.

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Pender Co., NC 4/23/06.

More information:
East Coast Native Azaleas
NCSU
USDA PLANTS database
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.