Belonging to the Rhododendron familyroom white evergreen azaleas give bright glowing color to partially shady places in the garden with beautiful spring blossoms. The green leaves persist on the branches through the year, giving the garden color in the beach. All these varieties of azaleas all originate in eastern Asia and therefore are used all over Japan in tea gardens.
Slow-Growing Varieties
Slow-growing white evergreen azaleas take years to reach their adult size. This makes them excellent for container plants or in places that do not have to be filled in straight away. “Pleasant White” azalea (Rhododendron “Pleasant White”) requires seven years to reach 24 to 30 inches tall and wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. This variety produces fragrant dark green leaves and 3-inch-wide flowers, which attract hummingbirds and butterflies. “Delaware Valley White” azalea (Rhododendron “Delaware Valley White”) requires a full ten years to reach 3 to 4 feet tall and wide in USDA zones 5 through 8. The funnel-shaped white blooms are 2 1/2 inches wide and attract butterflies, while the oblong green leaves turn yellow in sunlight. Plant this azalea at an area with day shade, since the leaves tend to scorch in direct sunlight.
Round-Shaped Azaleas
Round-shaped evergreen azaleas naturally grow in a round form without much pruning. The width and height are close to the exact dimensions. Bloom-A-Thon white reblooming azalea (Rhododendron “RLH1-3P3”) grows best in USDA zones 6 through 9, producing white flowers with ruffled edges in the middle of spring. This 2.5-foot-tall and wide tree blossoms again in midsummer with flowers that last till the first frost in autumn. “Gumpo White” azalea (Rhododendron “Gumpo White”) reaches 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide in USDA zones 7 through 9. In late spring, large white flowers with flecks of all reddish-pink appear amid small, deep green leaves.
Spreading Evergreen Azaleas
Spreading evergreen azaleas are wider than they are tall. Low-growing varieties behave as ground covers protecting the soil from erosion. “White Cascade” azalea (Rhododendron “White Cascade”) rises in USDA zones 5 through 8, reaching only 2 to 3 feet tall and spreading up to 6 feet wide. The funnel-shaped white blooms split outward into a star shape using greenish-yellow blotches. Clusters of flowers appear throughout spring. The tiny shiny green leaves turn dark yellowish-green throughout the cold weather in winter. “Cascade” azalea (Rhododendron “Cascade”) rises well in USDA zones 5 through 8, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with medium green leaves. The 1.5-inch-wide white funnel-shaped blossoms with rose-pink spots appear in spring, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.
Tall Azaleas
Tall azaleas can be large enough that they resemble a small rhododendron. The large “Alaska” azalea (Rhododendron indica “Alaska”) contains masses of snow-white flowers appearing from late winter through early spring. In USDA zones 9 through 11, this variety reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. “Alaska” azalea rises well under trees, in which it can make the most of the filtered sunlight.