Ericaceae
Smooth azalea
Rhododendron arborescens
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Rhododendron
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Common names
By language (1)
- English
- Smooth azalea
Synonyms
- Azalea arborea J.Bartram ex Pursh
- Azalea arborescens Prush
- Azalea arborescens var. richardsonii (Rehder) Ashe
- Azalea fragrans Raf.
- Azalea verticillata W.Bartram ex Lodd.
- Rhododendron arborescens f. flavescens Rehder
- Rhododendron arborescens f. rubescens Rehder & E.H.Wilson
- Rhododendron arborescens var. richardsonii Rehder
Flowers
- Flower colour
- white (USDA PLANTS Database)
Characteristics
- Growth habit
- Shrub
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- In the US and Canada
- Lower 48 states: native
Plant problems
Notches in rhododendron leaves: causes and fixesNotches in rhododendron leaves usually mean root weevils. Learn how to spot them, remove adults, and check for root damage.
Rhododendron leaves curling in cold weatherRhododendron leaves often curl naturally in cold weather. Learn how to spot normal winter rolling, prevent drying, and recognize damage.
Photos
Photo: Daderot, CC0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Cassidyrg, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons
More in Rhododendron
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- BuransRhododendron arboreumEricaceae
- Rhododendron luteumEricaceae
- Hairy alpenroseRhododendron hirsutumEricaceae
- Lapland rosebayRhododendron lapponicumEricaceae
- Rusty labrador-teaRhododendron groenlandicumEricaceae
- Rhododendron dauricumEricaceae
- JindallaeRhododendron mucronulatumEricaceae
- Rhododendron schlippenbachiiEricaceae
Sources: classification, synonyms from World Flora Online Plant List (2026-06, CC0 1.0); common names, popularity from Wikidata (2026-10-26, CC0 1.0); common names, US characteristics from USDA PLANTS Database (2025-05-29, CC0 1.0). About our plant data.