Rhododendron arborescens (Pursh) Torrey. Common name: Sweet Azalea, Smooth Azalea, Smooth Honeysuckle. Phenology: Late May-Jul; Jul-Oct. Habitat: Rocky riversides, wooded stream banks, swamps, high elevation forests, shrub balds. Distribution: Primarily Appalachian: ne. PA and se. KY south to sc. NC, w. SC, c. GA, and c. AL.
ID notes: "The flowers are white and roseate, and their odor may be perceived at a great distance; this being the most powerfully fragrant of our Honeysuckles" (Curtis 1883).
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA8, G, K4, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WV, Horn (2019), Kron (1993), Luteyn et al (1996); = Azalea arborescens Pursh — S, S13; = n/a — Tat; > Rhododendron arborescens (Pursh) Torr. var. arborescens — Wilson & Rehder (1921); > Rhododendron arborescens (Pursh) Torr. var. richardsonii Rehder — Wilson & Rehder (1921). Basionym: Azalea arborescens Pursh 1814
Links to other floras: = Rhododendron arborescens - FNA8
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.






Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Rhododendron arborescens? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months. If a species is not keyed, that's because keying is ongoing. Please don't send us feedback about unkeyed species.
Horticultural Information
Intro:
Stems:
Leaves:
Inforescence:
Flowers:
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 8-12 ft.
plant sale text: Smooth azalea is the latest blooming of the spring native azaleas. White to light-pink flowers with striking red stamens emerge in June. The flowers beckon to pollinators with their fragrance. Foliage turns deep red to purple in fall extending. It has a loosely branched form that spreads as wide as it is tall. Be sure to plant it in a moist and shaded location as while fast growing it does not tolerate droughty conditions well. The Rhododendron genus supports up to 50 lepidoptera species.
bloom table text:
description:
stems:
leaves:
inflorescence:
flowers:
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: Eastern United States
0 unsaved edits on this page.