Click here to see a list of the Rhododendrons and Azaleas that we ordered for 2020. Our stock changes daily, please call or visit to check availability.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Bloom

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General Rhododendron Care

Rhododendrons and azaleas are a must-have for many gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few basic guidelines to care for these plants.

  • All azaleas are Rhododendrons, but not all Rhododendrons are azaleas. The term Rhododendron with a capital R refers to the genus to which rhododendrons and azaleas plants belong. Evergreen azaleas and deciduous azaleas account for two of the eight sub-categories in the Rhododendron genus.
  • Buy rhododendrons anytime you can find them, which is usually in the spring. Availability is never guaranteed, so it is wise to seize the opportunity to purchase the plant you are looking for.
  • Rhododendrons purchased in a pot can be planted on any day that the ground isn't frozen or sopping wet.
  • Do not let a rhododendron dry out in the first three years after planting. Water regularly and allow water to reach one foot into the soil. As a baseline, allow a soaker hose or drip line (not a sprinkler!) to run for two hours, then turn it off and wait for one hour. After waiting an hour, dig down one foot near the plant (avoid digging into the root ball) and measure to see how deep the water penetrated. If the soil is dry six inches down, continue watering and checking until the entire foot is moist.

Some of our favorite rhododendrons and azaleas:

Please keep in mind that availability is seasonal and ever-changing. Please call ahead to confirm that we have particular cultivars in stock.

Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer'

Blooming unrivaled in February and early March, Christmas Cheer showcases white funnel-shaped flowers tinted with pink. It has a mounding, dense growth habit, growing up to six feet tall and wide. Prefers full sun to light shade.

Azalea 'Karen'

This Gable Hybrid is well-known as a symbol of spring due to its showy purple blooms in April and May. It's often used in Asian/Zen and Cottage gardens and thrives in acidic soils. It was introduced to the United States in the 1890's by Arnold Arboretum.

Rhododendron 'Grace Seabrook'

This Seabrook hybrid produces vivid red funnel-shaped flowers about three inches across.  Early-mid spring blooms come in tight trusses of up to 12 flowers. Grace Seabrook is a hybrid of The Honourable Jean Marie de Montague and strigillosum.

Rhododendron 'Curlew'

This compact rhododendron reaches just two feet in 10 years, making it a must-have for those gardening in tight-quarters. Early-mid season blooms are creamy yellow with some crimson spotting in trusses of up to three flowers. Works well for low borders.

Azalea 'Silver Sword'

Red, funnel-shaped flowers emerge from variegated foliage on this compact evergreen azalea. With its low, mounding habit, Silver Sword is great for borders, containers and Japanese gardens. Typically blooms in late March and April.

Rhododendron ponticum 'Variegatum'

Variegatum has long and narrow green leaves with creamy yellow edges. Lavender purple flowers emerge in trusses in late May or early June. Growing up to five feet per decade, this is a tough, reliable rhododendron that brightens up dark, shady garden corners.

Azalea 'Girard's Purple'

Light green spring foliage emerges from dark green leaves (pictured left). Rich purple blooms of trumpet-shaped flowers follow in April. Girard's Purple has an upright spreading growth habit and reaches about three feet tall and wide in maturity. It is often used as an accent and for mass planting.

Rhododendron rubiginosum

Native to China and Burma, this species rhododendron has narrow elliptic foliage and bell-shaped pink to purple flowers in clusters of four to eight. Rubiginosum refers to some cultivars having rusty-reddish scales. Bloom in March and early April.

Rhody Rage

On March 17, Wells Medina Nursery unveiled a collection of unique species and hybrid rhododendrons of notable sizes, shapes and fragrances. We had great fun showcasing and selling these plants, but the fun isn't over yet! There are still dozens of these wonderful cultivars waiting to find a new home, including the sinograndes pictured above. Click here for our blog post about Bellevue's Jim Barlup, who hybridized several of the Rhody Rage plants.

10 thoughts on “Rhododendrons & Azaleas”

  1. Reply
    James Posporelis - May 15, 2019

    Can I purchase a hybrid rhododendron max height no more than 24” from your nursery and do you ship to upstate New York

    1. Reply
      Sam Wigness - May 15, 2019

      Hi James, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we only have the means to deliver plants to the Seattle area. We’d love to have you visit if you are ever in the Pacific Northwest!

  2. Reply
    Joan - September 4, 2019

    Looking specifically for “yellow eyes” rhododendron. Can you provide?

    1. Reply
      Sam Wigness - September 14, 2019

      Thanks Joan! Sorry we were unable to find this plant for you.

  3. Reply
    Kelly Scott - October 10, 2019

    Is it possible to grow a rhododendron from another established rhododendron and if so, how would I do that?

    1. Reply
      Kim Anderson - October 15, 2019

      Kelly:

      It is possible to take a cutting of most rhododendron hybrids or species.
      To learn how, use the following link to the Rhodo Society:
      https://www.rhododendron.org/propagation.htm

      Good Luck
      Jim

  4. Reply
    Neil Oldenburg - February 27, 2020

    Do you have any satsuki azaleas which I can train into bonsai? I’m not looking for fully shaped specimens.

    1. Reply
      Kim Anderson - March 2, 2020

      Please view our azalea list as it shows the types we are planning to receive. The one gallon options would be a good option. Also, Azaleas.org can be a great resource to determine if the varieties we carry will meet your needs.

  5. Reply
    Christine Krause - March 28, 2020

    I’m interested in western azalea hybrids, of which Irene Koester (sp?), I believe, is one. Do you have others? If so, I’ve noticed a tendancy towards powdery mildew on the Irene Koesters planted at my local library…do all the western azalea hybrids have this tendency?

    Thank you,

    1. Reply
      Kim Anderson - March 31, 2020

      Christine,
      We don’t have any Western Hybrids this year. The main wholesale grower of them has retired. You may find some of these hybrid azaleas through mail order.

      After talking with our expert, there doesn’t seem to be a hard and fast rule about Western Hybrids being immune. However, there are other hybrids such as ‘Fragrant Star’ and its parent ‘Snowbird’ that are resistant. Rhododendron luteum/ponticum and its forms are also resistant. Some Weston hybrids are said to be resistant only after they are established, which is often the case with deciduous azaleas much as it is with roses: a healthy plant can fend off many things.

      Best,
      Wells Medina Nursery Staff

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