We forecast having some beautiful varieties of rhododendron and azaleas this season.
View some of our favorite rhododendrons and azaleas!
Please keep in mind that availability is seasonal and ever-changing. Please call ahead or check our online inventory to confirm that we have particular cultivars in stock.
Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Bloom
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.
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.
Can I purchase a hybrid rhododendron max height no more than 24” from your nursery and do you ship to upstate New York
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!
Looking specifically for “yellow eyes” rhododendron. Can you provide?
Thanks Joan! Sorry we were unable to find this plant for you.
Is it possible to grow a rhododendron from another established rhododendron and if so, how would I do that?
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
Do you have any satsuki azaleas which I can train into bonsai? I’m not looking for fully shaped specimens.
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.
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,
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
I would like to purchase a “Seaview Sunset ” Rhody.
Please call Dick or Karol Cahan at 425-455-0631.
Karol,
Nice to meet you at the nursery today. So happy you took home one of these little beauties. Thanks to you, I have a new favorite!
Best,
Kim
Hello– In 2017 (June 3) we bought 6 rhododendrons for $313.50. We bought them from a blond haired woman who seemed knowledgeable. We planted them as directed and set up a careful watering system looking forward to the spring of 2018 when they were supposed to bloom. They became dark green and bushy with big buds in the spring, but the buds opened without any red blooms. We called your nursery and spoke to a man who told us to make sure the roots were shallow and not overloaded with bark, and make sure they were watered. We checked the soil and found it to be low in nitrogen, so we added organic nitrogen that summer and fall. Spring of 20198 arrived and same this happened. We called and spoke to the same older male and he said to give it one more year and then call back. We added a bit more organic nitrogen. Here we are in spring of 2020 and same lack of blooms, although very healthy green leaves and impressive, large buds. We need a solution that gets them to bloom or replaces them.
If you send me an e-mail address I can send you pictures. We are willing to drive over to your nursery with samples of a branch or two so you can see the odd way it blooms. Thanks for any advice. Please help us resolve this.
Mak and Alan,
I will email you in order for you to have the email address to which you can send pictures. Thanks for your reaching out for assistance.
Best,
Kim
Mak and Alan,
We had problems with your email address. Please call the store at 425-454-1853 and a staff member can connect you with Jim, our specialist.
Do you have a “Pink Icicle Camelia”?
Maria,
I love the beautiful Peony-like flowers of the ‘Pink Icicle’ Camellia. Unfortunately, we do not have any stock of this beautiful plant at this time. Check back with us in a month as we hope to have some in stock.
Best,
Kim
I’m looking for some Rhododendrons that have leaves that are more rounded or oval in shape, rather than the typical long, narrow leaves — could you please share the name of some Rhododendrons that you carry with more rounded leaves? That would be very helpful, thank you!
Megan,
‘Seatac’ and other types of Rhododendrons would fit your request. Look at pictures of William Sainum types of Rhododendrons and see what you think. You can check our inventory on our website under the category “Rhododendron” or call us for availability.
Best,
Kim
I would like to purchase a Seaview Sunset Rhododendron. I hope that you have it available.
Thank you
Lily
Lily,
The ‘Seaview Sunset’ with its light yellow flowers is stunning. Unfortunately, we have sold all of these beauties. We anticipate receiving this cultivar of rhododendron in the spring. We look forward to seeing you and these lovely plants again.
Best,
Kim
I notice a couple of one-off rhododendrons on your current inventory list and would like to swoop by to see them and hope to take them home, as I don’t normally see these — ‘Coastal Sugar’ and ‘Sappho X Loder’s White’ (I presume a more upright and/or compact form of Sappho?). Early this season you had also listed a straight ‘Sappho,’ ‘Warlock’ and ‘Ring of Fire’ (I see it’s parental ‘1000 Butterflies’ still on your list). Are these no longer available, and is there any chance of seeing them again come Spring? As I’m presently in Edmonds, I might not make it before you close before the weekend, but could venture thataway early next week. Cheers!
RJ,
I’ll walk through the area in the morning and ensure my information is current. Watch for my email with the details tomorrow.
You have good taste in plants!
Kim
RJ,
Thanks for inquiring about these interesting plants. Please check with us in March as we are interested in having these beauties back in stock!
Best,
Kim