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Key characteristics

Family: Ericaceae
Height: 3 to 6 ft
Width: 3 to 6 ft
Flower color: Rich coral to salmon-coral blooms, often with warm sherbet-orange in the centers
Foliage color: Medium-green deciduous leaves
Bloom time: Mid to late spring (April-May)
Light: Full sun to part sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low to moderate; prune lightly after bloom
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife: Fragrant flowers attract bees and hummingbirds

Shrubs

Rhododendron 'Sweet Reward Coral'

Sweet Reward Coral Azalea

Rhododendron Sweet Reward Coral is a deciduous azalea with an upright, mounded form and light green leaves that may show a faint burgundy edge. In mid to late spring, it produces rounded clusters of salmon-coral flowers with warm orange centers. The blossoms are strongly fragrant and are visited by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, bringing color and movement to the spring garden.

Developed at North Carolina State University, Sweet Reward Coral was selected for fragrant bloom and garden durability.

Light

Full sun to part sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring (April-May)

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Fragrant Gardens
Hummingbird Gardens

Companion plants

Asters · Cotoneaster · Bee balm · Smoke bush · Dianthus · California lilac

Design tip

Make ‘Sweet Reward Coral’ a spring focal point near a patio or seating area, where its strong fragrance can be enjoyed up close. Surrounding it with quieter greenery will keep the warm coral flowers prominent without introducing competing colors into the display.