Weston’s Innocence Fragrant Swamp Azalea
Rhododendron viscosum ‘Weston’s Innocence’
Other Names: Weston’s Innocence Native Azalea, Honeysuckle Azalea
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4b-8b (4a?) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 5-6′, might reach 8′ in ideal conditions
Width at Maturity: 4-6′
Spacing: 3-4′ for solid hedges; 8’+ for space between plants
Flower Color: Bright White with Pinkish stamens
Flower Size: 2-3″ in clusters
Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
Flower Type: Single, Trumpet-shape
Fragrant Flowers: Yes! Strongly fragrant
Foliage Color: Medium Green, Reddish Burgundy in Fall
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Part to Mostly Shade, Dappled Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Full Sun (cool summer-climates)
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amend dense and heavy clay), Loam, Sand (amend quick draining soils to help retain moisture), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained or Wet; prefers a consistently moist soil but not standing water
Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-25F), Disease, Humidity, Mildew, Rabbit
Description
Discovered by Weston’s Nursery in Massachusetts, Weston’s Innocence Swamp Azalea is an exceptionally cold hardy North American native deciduous rhododendron that can withstand temperatures to -25F! She is adored for her abundant circular clusters of extremely fragrant glowing white trumpet shaped flowers that fill the garden with sweet aroma. A good one to extend the azalea blooming season in the garden as her flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Growth is vigorously upright in the beginning but will become more shrub like with time reaching 5 to 6 feet tall and equally as wide. Medium green lustrous and disease resistant foliage turns to attractive reddish burgundy shades with the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall. As “swamp” in the common name implies, Weston’s Innocence will thrive in consistently moist soil so is perfect for those partially shaded to shady area where the soil tends to not dry out. Her vigor, fragrance and foliage and flower color all come together for an absolutely stunning color display and delicious aroma in the garden that will always have you looking forward to late spring.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, Weston’s Innocence 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, bog gardens, Azalea gardens, native gardens, woodland gardens, white theme gardens, and cottage gardens.
Spacing: We do not suggest planting this beauty as a hedge however, if used in a solid row space at 4 feet apart; 8 feet or more for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Weston’s Innocence Azalea is very easy to grow in moist but well-drained to wet soil of average to high fertility. That said, it does not like standing water. It performs well in full sun in the northern USDA Zones with cool-summer climates but will appreciate some shade or filtered sun in the afternoon in warm-summer climates. 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
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