About Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder
Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder is a compact, loosely branched deciduous shrub. At maturity, it typically reaches 2 to 3 feet (50–150 cm) tall, though it can grow up to 6 feet tall, and spreads 2 to 3 feet wide. It spreads via underground stolons to form thick understories in forests. Its leaves are 3–5 cm long and 1–2 cm broad, bluish green, and either hairless or covered with scattered glandular hairs. The fragrant flowers are 3–4 cm long, usually ranging from white to pink, sometimes with a yellow flush, and grow in clustered trusses of 4 to 10 flowers. This species can also produce pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in early spring. Rhododendron atlanticum is distributed across mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States, ranging from Delaware to Georgia, where it grows in upland woods, bluffs, stream banks, and open sandy woods. It is a non-toxic species that is sometimes sold through the nursery trade. It is valued for use in azalea breeding programs for its natural fragrance. It is also commonly used in landscaping: it has showy flowers, and its fragrance attracts pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This species has medium tolerance to both drought and fire, and its seeds require cold stratification to germinate.
