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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 2 to 6 ft
Width: 3 to 8 ft
Flower color: Lavender to purple with darker throat
Foliage color: Evergreen dark green small scaly leaves
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate; prune lightly after flowering if needed
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds

Shrubs

Rhododendron minus x hanceanum

Piedmont Azalea Hybrid

Rhododendron minus x hanceanum is a broadleaf evergreen rhododendron that develops an upright, well-branched shrub with small, glossy leaves. In late spring, it bears clusters of funnel-shaped flowers in lilac to rich purple tones, often with darker shading in the throat. New foliage growth may emerge with a bronzy cast before settling into deep green for the season.

This hybrid can reach several feet in height and forms a sturdy, evergreen presence rather than a low mound.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Cottage Gardens
Specimen Plants

Companion plants

Tulips · Bluebeard · Feverfew · Larkspur · Sea thrifts · Beautyberry

Design tip

Work this rhododendron into the middle of a layered shrub planting, where its upright habit can rise above lower companions without dominating them. Its relatively fine foliage offers useful contrast beside broader-leaved evergreens, keeping the planting varied even outside the flowering season.