Rhododendron periclymenoides – Pinxterbloom

There are two species of woodland Azalea with pink flowers in our area, this one and Roseshell Azalea, R. prinophyllum. Pinxterbloom is mostly found at lower elevations, our valleys and foothills, and is replaced in the Catskill Mountains, and at higher elevations in general, by Roseshell. The latter azalea is by far the more fragrant and many Pinxterbloom have little or no fragrance. Even so, the light pink to white flowers with darker pink highlights are reason enough to grow this species. Roseshell tends to have pinker flowers. Needs an acidic soil to thrive.