Mandarin Lights Azalea

An upright, rounded, open deciduous azalea reaching 6 feet in 10 years and 8 to 10 feet at maturity. Narrow tubular funnel-shaped flowers with wavy edges, about 2¼ inches wide, strong reddish-orange with darker veining and an orange blotch on the upper lobe, in ball-shaped trusses of 7 to 10 blooms. Midseason flowering. A hybrid of R. calendulaceum crossed with 'Orangeade', bred at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as part of the Northern Lights series (ARS 951).

Cold hardiness to -35°F (Zone 3a-7b) makes this one of the hardiest deciduous azaleas in commerce, usable in zones where most deciduous azaleas are not an option. Full sun to part shade on acidic, well-drained soil (pH 4.5-6.0). Northern Lights series bred for cold-hardy, sun-tolerant performance. Good fall foliage color. Substantial mature size (8 to 10 feet) at maturity. Twenty-one diseases and 15 pests documented at the genus level. All parts contain grayanotoxins and are toxic if ingested.