Overview & Description

The Mandarin Lights Azalea (Rhododendron Azalea ‘Mandarin Lights’) is a stunning, cold-hardy deciduous shrub known for its vibrant blooms and exceptional resilience. Developed by the University of Minnesota as part of the Northern Lights series, this variety is specifically bred to thrive in extreme cold climates. In late spring, it produces clusters of fragrant, showy, tubular funnel-shaped flowers in a striking mandarin-orange hue that attract butterflies. The dark green foliage emerges with a purplish tinge, transforms to rich bronze-red in fall, and has excellent resistance to powdery mildew.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits an upright, rounded to spreading, multi-stemmed growth habit. It is a slow to medium-growing shrub, typically reaching a mature size of about 4 to 6 feet in height with a similar spread of 4 to 6 feet. It can live for approximately 40 years under ideal conditions.

Additional Notes

It blooms in late spring, This low-maintenance shrub thrives in partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic, organic-rich soil. It is cold hardy to Zone 3. An outstanding choice for shrub borders, foundation plantings, woodland gardens, or mass plantings where vibrant spring colour, fragrance, and multi-season interest are desired in cold climates.