Honeysuckle Azaleas: A sweet-smelling native shrub for every yard
(Updated: March 19, 2026, 4:20 p.m.)
Rhododendron 'Mr. Tom Dodd, Jr.' was named for a famous nurseryman on the Gulf Coast and a selection of the species R. flammeum for its beautiful red flowers. This is growing in my yard in west Lee County and flowers in mid to late March. Photo by Amanda Bratcher
I attended a gardening lecture several years ago by a nurseryman friend of mine. He titled his presentation “Pretty, pretty pictures” and proceeded to wow us with the beauty of deciduous azaleas. They are also known by the common name ‘honeysuckle azalea’ for their sweet scent in the spring time and long flowers that are reminiscent of honeysuckles.
These are not some exotic plants from a tropical island, but beautiful neighbors that we have overlooked as we drive or hike by them. The wonderful thing is these plants make excellent garden additions for pollinators, and spring and summer beauty.
Rhododendron 'Admiral Semmes' is a selection of a native deciduous azalea, made famous by breeders on the Gulf Coast of the US. Mature deciduous azaleas can reach 15 feet tall and become a flurry of flowers. Photo by Amanda Bratcher
Not Your Average Azalea
Deciduous azaleas belong to the genus Rhododendron, alongside the non-native garden azaleas we see everywhere. However, they belong to the section Pentanthera. Most evergreen azaleas have ten anthers (the male parts of the flower), while our native deciduous azaleas neatly feature only five.
Unlike their evergreen cousins, these shrubs drop their leaves in the winter. While they may look like "sticks" during the dormant season, this allows them to put on a spectacular, unobstructed floral show in the spring.
Don't forget their autumn show! Unlike evergreen azaleas that stay green (or bronze) all year, deciduous azaleas often turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, or deep burgundy before dropping their leaves.
The flower bud of the honeysuckle azalea starts to break as the weather warms. The flower buds are large and are held at the tips of the branches, while the flower buds are much smaller. Photo by Amanda Bratcher
Right Plant, Right Place
Since Lee County sits in the transition between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, we can grow a wide variety of these beauties. Here are a few standouts for your 2026 garden:
Piedmont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens): Likely the most famous "Honeysuckle Azalea." It produces clusters of pale pink to white flowers with a fragrance so strong it can fill an entire backyard.
Pinxterbloom Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides): Very similar to the Piedmont azalea but slightly more tolerant of drier soils. It’s a tough, dependable native.
Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum): If you want a "wow" factor, this is it. It blooms in vibrant shades of orange, gold, and fiery red. While it’s a mountain native, it can thrive here if given the right spot on the Deep River Road side of town.
Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum): Perfect for those "wet feet" spots in your yard. It blooms later (early summer) with spicy, white flowers.
Native to the Southeast
Deciduous azaleas are in the large genus Rhododendron, which also includes the non-native garden azaleas and the broadleaf, evergreen Rhododendrons of the mountains of NC! There are more than 2,000 species in the genus, but the deciduous azaleas neatly fit in the section Pentanthera, referring to the five anthers they have (most of the other species have ten anthers!).
There are 15-16 species native to North America, with all but one being found only in the Southeastern US. Several species only occur in narrow ranges in South Carolina and Alabama; and some can be found across Eastern North America. There are also three species native to East Asia, but they do not do well in our southeastern climate!
Pollinated by Butterflies (and Their Wings!)
Swallowtail butterflies have been found to be the most effective pollinators of deciduous azaleas. You can see how the wings reach the ends of the flower. Photo by Photo by Harold Blackwood, National Park Service, 2019 CC0
Research published in The American Naturalist reveals a fascinating "wing pollination" story. A study published in 2015 by researchers from NC State University, James Madison University, and University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), found that while many insects visit for nectar, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is the primary hero for deciduous azaleas. Because of the long distance between the pollen and the nectar, smaller bees and butterflies often "miss" the reproductive parts. Swallowtails, however, constantly flap their wings while feeding; those wings act like brushes, transferring pollen from the anthers to the stigma. No flapping, no fruit!
Get One of These Beauties in Your Garden
More and more native nurseries are offering these beautiful plants, both as the straight species as well as named cultivars. Don’t let the "stick-like" appearance in the winter fool you. The spring blossoms and light green foliage are excellent additions to a pollinator-friendly landscape. There is a honeysuckle azalea for every niche in your garden—give these under-appreciated natives a chance!
Contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center
Amanda Bratcher is the horticulture agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center. You can reach out to the office at 919-775-5624 for more information or questions regarding this article, but also any other questions about your garden, farm, land or plants! We’re here to help! You can check out our website's events page for more information and to register for upcoming programs.
