Kate Native Azalea
Rhododendron ‘Kate’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b (5?) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree
Height at Maturity: 6-8′
Width at Maturity: 4-6′
Flower Color: Vibrant Orange-Yellow
Flower Size: 2-3″ in rounded clusters
Flowering Period: Early to Mid-Spring
Flower Type: Single, Trumpet-shape
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Medium Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Part to Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun or Dappled Shade
Water Needs: Average, Lower when established
Soil Type: Clay (Amen heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Heat, Humidity, Insect, Shade
Description
An extremely hard-to-find, wild-collected austrinum selection from the Earl Sommerville Collection, Rhododendron ‘Kate’ is a native Azalea that shows off abundant large clusters of red buds that open to funnel-shaped flowers with five wavy-edged, vivid orange-yellow petals that light up the garden in early to mid spring. In our Georgia gardens, heat and humidity tolerance, vigor, and unique color all come together for an absolutely stunning color display.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, the Kate Native Azalea is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in woodland borders or other areas of the landscape that provide moist but well-drained soils rich in organic matter. A fine selection for fragrance gardens, Azalea gardens, woodland gardens, yellow or orange theme gardens, and cottage gardens.
Spacing: We do not suggest planting this beauty as a hedge however, if a hedge is desired space at 4 to 5 feet apart; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Kate Native Azalea is very easy to grow in moist but well-drained soil of average to high fertility and part shade to shade. Morning sun with some afternoon shade or filtered sun is perfect. Late evening sun is ok. Once established plants are quite drought tolerant, requiring supplemental water only during prolonged periods of dry summer weather. Native azaleas are very low-maintenance, requiring little if any pruning. That said, occasionally we might prune a stray branch that is spoiling the natural form of the plant.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune fertilize and water native azaleas.
How To Plant & Care For Native Azaleas
We are proud members of the ASA
Plant Long & Prosper!
Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff
Questions? Contact Us

















Reviews
There are no reviews yet.