Mandarin Lights Azalea

Rhododendron ‘Mandarin Lights’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4-5′

Width at Maturity: 3-4′

Spacing: 3.5′ for natural hedge; 7′ + for space between plants

Flower Color: Brilliant Mandarin Orange

Flower Size: Large cluster of 1.5-2″ flowers

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single in rounded clusters

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Dappled Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun – Avoid direct afternoon sun

Water Needs: Average, Lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Extreme cold

Description

Exceptionally cold hardy to -30 degrees F and deliciously fragrant, ‘Mandarin Lights’ is an outstanding selection from the Northern Lights series that features abundant, stunning, large, pom pom-like clusters of brilliant mandarin orange flowers. We’re not absolutely sure but this selection may be grown in Zone 3 with some protection. The plant itself has a rounded habit 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide over time. Plant this magnificent beauty near windows or close to patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the flowers and wonderful fragrance can be enjoyed.

Northern Lights azaleas were bred by the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to be very hardy and to have flower buds that can withstand temperatures of -30 to -45 degrees F.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and nearly as wide, Mandarin Lights Azalea is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in woodland borders or other areas of the landscape that provide part shade and moist but well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Also nice as a natural hedge or in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, orange theme gardens, Azalea gardens, woodland gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 3.5 feet apart for natural hedge; 7 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Mandarin Lights Azalea is very easy to grow in a moist but well-drained, humus rich acidic soil and part shade. Morning and evening sun are fine but some dappled shade or filtered sun in the afternoon is preferred. Once established has good drought tolerance. Deciduous azaleas are very low-maintenance, requiring little if any pruning. That said, occasionally we might prune a stray branch that is growing way outside the natural form of the plant, but not so much that it would destroy this beautiful shrub.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for native azaleas.

How To Plant & Care For Native Azaleas

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