Rhododendron vaseyi, the rare Pinkshell azalea, is one of the first species to bloom in the spring. Its delicate
pink to white flowers are typically flat-faced, about 1.5 to 2.25 inches across,
and have some prominent spotting in the
throat.
Discovered by George Va
sey in 1878, this native azalea has a relatively restricted natural habitat
in four mountainous counties of North Carolina. Growing at elevations of 3000 to 5500 feet,
plants can be seen in bloom along the Blue Ridge Parkway in early spring.
This plant was also a Cary Award winner in 1998. This woody plant is especially appropriate for New England and similar climates. This shrub offers superior landscape appeal in two or more seasons, are winter hardy in zone 5 or colder, and is pest resistant.
R. vaseyi makes
an excellent garden plant, and can be purchased plants from number of commercial
sources. Please, never take plants from the wild.
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