Virginia Tech Dendrology

dwarf azalea Ericaceae Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehder symbol: RHAT
Leaf: Alternate, simple, deciduous, pinnately veined, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, elliptical to obovate, dull green above and green below (pubescent on the midvein) with a ciliate margin, petioles very short.
Flower: White (may be tinged with pink), with tube length much longer than petals, to 1 1/2 inch, appearing after the leaves in late spring.
Fruit: An oblong 5-parted woody capsule, to 1 inch long, somewhat pubescent, splits when mature in late summer.
Twig: Slender, brown, somewhat pubescent, single bundle scar; buds occur in clusters at ends of twigs; flower buds are much larger (1/2 inch long).
Bark: Gray-brown and thin, may become scaly.
Form: A loosely branched shrub to 6 feet tall, may produce thickets.
Looks like: pink azalea - swamp azalea

Additional Range Information: Rhododendron atlanticum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information