Rhododendron, commonly known as Azalea, is a deciduous evergreen shrub native to Asia, Europe, and North America and grows in hardy zones of 3-9. Some Azaleas reach towering heights of 20 feet; however, most garden azaleas stay 4 to 6 feet in height.
Azaleas are a welcoming sight during spring when they are in full bloom. Azaleas are famous for their springtime beauty, offering elliptic light green foliage and dense, perfectly round trusses of white, rose-pink, orange, or red flowers with elegantly protruding stamens.
Azaleas are delightful partial shade-loving plants that require about 4 hours of direct sunlight to thrive. Flowers aren’t as plentiful as when planted in full sun but definitely last longer.
Azaleas thrive in well-draining, acidic soil conditions with good fertility and lots of organic matter. Azaleas are shallow-rooted plants that need to be kept uniformly moist; they require watering once or twice a week.
Azalea flowers are anesthetic and sedative. They are also applied externally to treat arthritis, itching, maggots, and traumatic injuries. The root of Azaleas is used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and traumatic injuries.
Let’s look at the 25 flowers similar to Azaleas.
Related: Sun-Loving Flowers | Water-Loving Flowers | Shade-Loving Flowers | Types of Flowers | Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Types of Flower Colors
1. Mount Laurel
Mount Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the woodlands of eastern North America. Mount Laurel is hardy to zones 4-9 and matures to 5-15 feet tall and 5-15 feet wide.
Mount Laurel is dense, rounded shrub with gnarled stems and oval-round, glossy deep-green leaves. Their blossoms light up woodlands and gardens in late spring with clusters of delicate, fused-petal blossoms, with arched stamens. The blooms range in colors from white, pink, and red; and are tattooed with symmetrical maroon streaks.
Mount Laurel is a shade-loving plant that can grow in full sun or partial shade. Mount laurel ideally thrives in cool, rich, acidic, and well-drained soil. Mount Laurel is relatively drought-resistant when established, but it’s best to keep the soil consistently moist.
Mount Laurel and Azaleas thrive in similar sun, soil, and water conditions.
The leaves of Mount Laurel are used to treat ringworms, psoriasis, herpes, and syphilis.
2. Japanese Rose
Kerria japonica is a deciduous flowering shrub native to mountainous regions of China and Japan. Japanese roses grow in a hardiness zone of 4-9 and mature to 5-10 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
Japanese rose bushes are especially noted for their beautiful green winter stems. They have attractive green branches and birch-like leaves. In spring, bright yellow flowers that resemble miniature roses grow on its slender, arching stems.
Japanese rose prefers loamy soil, rich with organic matter, which retains medium moisture and is well-draining.
Japanese rose thrives partial shade but tolerates full sun. Japanese rose has average water requirements; weekly watering is sufficient.
The Japanese rose, and Azalea shrub both thrive in rich, well-draining soil and partial shade.
Uses of Japanese roses are for diuretic or laxative purposes.
3. P.J.M. Rhododendron
Rhododendron x P.J.M. is a vigorous, showy evergreen shrub mainly native to the Northern Hemisphere in western China, the Himalayas, and Myanmar (Burma). P.J.M. Rhododendron is hardy to zones 4-8 and grows 5-6 feet tall with a similar spread.
The P.J.M. Rhododendron has elliptical, glossy dark green leaves that turn to mahogany during fall and winter. The P.J.M. Rhododendron bears round, showy clusters of vibrant, pinkish-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers in mid to late spring. Each cluster has an average of 10 to 15 blooms.
P.J.M. Rhododendron belongs to the same genus as azaleas and has similar blooms. Like azaleas, P.J.M. Rhododendron belongs to the same genus as azaleas. Like azaleas, P.J.M. Rhododendron is a part shade lover and easily grown in rich, acidic, moist, well-draining soil.
P.J.M. Rhododendron needs watering once or twice weekly until established; after that, water them every second week or so.
P.J.M. Rhododendron possesses various health benefits, including preventing and treating heart diseases, dysentery, detoxification, inflammation, fever, bronchitis, and asthma.
4. Garland Flower
Daphne cneorum is a flowering shrub native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. The garland flower is a rounded evergreen shrub with a 4-9 hardy zone and grows 6-12 inches tall and 24-26 inches wide.
The garland flower is a trailing shrub gown for its dense clusters of highly fragrant, bright pink flowers. In spring, these flowers smother the narrow, glossy green foliage.
The garland flower thrives in full sun to partially shaded areas and fertile, rich, and well-drained soil types, much like azaleas. The garland flower needs at least 1 inch of water weekly.
The garland flower is planted for ornamental purposes.
5. Golden Bells
Golden bells belong to the Forsythia spp., genus. Golden bells are deciduous flowering shrubs native to Asia. Golden bells grow in hardiness zones of 5-8 and grow up to 10 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Golden bells are compact, bushy shrubs known for their long, stiffly stretching branches with a profusion of bright yellow blooms in early spring. A truly spectacular sight to see!
Golden bells thrive in most rich, fertile, and well-draining soil types. Golden bells thrive in full sun or partial shade but are happiest in roughly 6 hours of direct sun and temperatures of 55°F-70°F. Golden bells are relatively drought-tolerant but need watering occasionally.
Golden bells and azaleas have similar soil and sun preferences; however, golden bells prefer a tad more sun than azaleas.
The fruit of golden bells treats infections, chills, fevers, headaches, or muscle soreness.
6. Mock Orange
Philadelphus coronarius, known as the mock orange, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe. Mock orange shrubs grow in hardy zones of 4-8 and mature to 10-12 feet tall with a similar spread.
Mock orange shrubs have dense, round growth habits and boast brilliant yellow, ovate leaves, which later mature to green. In late spring, it bears abundant inflorescences of fragrant, four-petaled, cup-shaped white flowers. The flowers resemble orange blossoms, giving it its common name.
Mock orange and azaleas have several similarities, including sun preferences of approximately 4 hours sun a day and acidic, organically rich, well-draining soil. However, mock oranges need approximately 1 inch of water per week; whereas, azaleas need uniformly moist soil.
Dried powdered leaves of the mock orange are used to treat swollen and painful joints.
7. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly known as Oakleaf Hydrangea, is native to south-eastern U.S. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that grow 4-8 feet tall, witha hardiness zone of 5-9.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas have large, distinctive, luscious green leaves with lobes resembling that of an oak tree. In addition, Oakleaf Hydrangeas feature dense, conical flowers packed with large white florets that gradually transition to a purplish-pink color.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas are versatile shrubs that thrive in full sun to part shade as well as acidic, rich, and well-draining soil types, making them similar to azaleas. Oakleaf Hydrangeas appreciate uniformly moist soil, giving it another similarity to azaleas.
The root and underground stem of Oakleaf Hydrangea is used to make medicine used for urinary tract problems.
8. Candelabra Primrose
Primula pulverulenta is a hardy, semi-evergreen perennial native to the mountain meadows of China. Candelabra primrose is hardy to zones 4-8 and grows 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Candelabra primrose has leafless stems with a dusty, silvery-white coating. Candelabra primrose produces tiered whorls of crimson bell-shaped flowers that elegantly rise atop its basal rosettes of tooth-edged green leaves in late spring or early summer.
Long-lived, this hardy perennial thrives in damp, shady environments but can grow well in full sun when provided consistently moist soil. Candelabra primrose thrives in rich, consistently moist soil.
Azaleas and Candelabra primrose both thrive in shaded areas and consistently moist soil.
Candelabra primrose is adored for its ornamental purposes.
9. California Buckeye
Aesculus californica is a large deciduous shrub native to California. California buckeye is hardy to zones 7-8 and grows 15-30 feet tall with a similar spread.
This large flowering shrub showcases gorgeous silver bark and multiple trunks that form a spherical crown or flattened canopy. Its foliage includes pale apple green foliage in spring white matures to glossy, dark green compound leaves. The shrub produces a profusion of sweetly scented, creamy white or pink flowers with spidery anthers in late spring. The panicles of flowers give way to pear-shaped light brown capsules of inedible fruit.
Similar to azaleas, California buckeye thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. However, California buckeye has low to medium water requirements.
Smashed fruits of California buckeye were used as a hemorrhoid remedy.
10. Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris, also commonly referred to as common lilac. Common lilac is a shrub native to Europe with a hardiness zone of 3-7. Common lilac and mature to 8-15 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide.
Common lilac has greenish-grey or bluish-green heart-shaped foliage. In late spring, showy panicles with highly fragranced blooms appear in lovely hues of white, lavender-blue, lilac, deep purple, and burgundy.
Similar to azaleas, common lilac thrives in fertile, moist, and well-draining soil. However, common lilac thrives in full sun and has average water requirements; weekly watering is sufficient.
Common lilac is used to reduce fever.
11. Camellia
Camellia spp. is a broadleaf evergreen shrub natively from Japan, China, and Korea. Depending on the variety, they are hardy to zones of 7-9 and can grow to anything between 2-12 feet.
Camellias are vigorous and compact shrubs with both spring- and fall-blooming varieties. Camellias have dark, glossy green leaves and beautiful single or double, sweetly fragranced flowers ranging in various pink, red, and white shades.
Like azaleas, Camellias thrive best planted in partial shade in moist, rich, and well-drained soil. Camellias need frequent watering, ensure that the soil is consistently moist.
Camellia is a genus in the family Theaceae. The leaves and leaf buds are used to make tea.
12. Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium, better known as the Oregon grape, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to western North America. Oregon grape is hardy to zones 5-9 and grows 3-10 feet tall and 2-5 feet wide.
Oregon grape is an evergreen with multi-seasonal interest. The Oregon grape produces panicles of bright golden flowers just above its holly-like, leathery, bronze leaves in spring.
In late summer, the foliage turns glossy, deep green and the golden flowers give way to clusters of dark blue-purple berries that resemble small grapes. In fall, the brilliant foliage turns to a deep burgundy.
Similar to azaleas, the Oregon grape thrives in partial shade with organically rich, moist, and acidic well-draining soil conditions and needs uniformly moist soil.
The root of the Oregon grape is used to make medicine to treat stomach ulcers, reflux, and cleanse bowels.
13. Weigela Bush
The Weigela bush belongs to the Weigela florida genus. The Weigela is a deciduous shrub native to Asia. It has a hardiness of 4-8 and grows 6-10 feet tall and 9-12 feet wide.
The weigela bush is an old-time landscape favorite! It has an upright habit with slightly serrated, glossy, oblong-shaped foliage in chartreuse, gold, burgundy, or deep purple. In spring, the weigela bush produces petite, bell-shaped flowers in red, pink, white, and yellow shades.
Similar to azaleas, weigela bushes thrive in moist, well-draining soil. However, the Weigela bush needs at least 8 hours of full sunlight. The weigela bush needs consistent deep watering until established, similar to azaleas, but once the weigela bush is established, it will only need occasional watering.
The weigela bush is used for ornamental purposes.
14. Dwarf Flowering Almond
Prunus glandulosa, commonly known as the dwarf flowering almond, is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub native to China and Japan. The dwarf flowering almond is hardy to zones 4-9 and grows 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Dwarf flowering almond is a hardy shrub and spring showstopper! It has finely-toothed green leaves with a beyond spectacular display of profusions of double-layered pink flower blossoms in spring.
Dwarf flowering almond thrives in similar sun and soil conditions as azaleas, of approximately four hours of daily sun and rich, fertile, well-draining soil. Like azaleas, keep dwarf flowering almond shrub’s soil uniformly moist.
Dwarf flowering almonds are used for ornamental purposes.
15. ‘Aurora’ Witch Hazel
Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Aurora’ is a flowering deciduous shrub native to Japan and China, commonly known as ‘Aurora’ Witch hazel. ‘Aurora’ Witch hazel has a hardy zone of 5-8 and grows to about 10-12 feet tall with a similar spread.
‘Aurora’ Witch hazel is an upright shrub sporting broad, oval green leaves. ‘Aurora’ Witch hazel boasts the largest flowers of all Witch hazels. It has fragrant, spidery bronze-red tinted flowers from winter to early spring. Each flower consists of 4 ribbon-like petals that curl up on cold days and unfurl their crinkled petals on warmer days.
‘Aurora’ Witch hazel thrives in full sun to part shade and organically rich and well-drained soil, like azaleas. However, ‘Aurora’ Witch hazel only requires water in drought periods.
Witch hazel’s benefits include relieving inflammation, reducing skin irritations, and treating acne.
16. Rugosa Rose
Rosa rugosa is a tough and hardy deciduous shrub native to Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan, and northern China. Rugosa roses grow in hardy zones of 3-9 and mature 4-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide.
Rugosa roses are vigorous, upright shrubs with pinnate and corrugated leathery green leaves and an abundance of vicious thorns. Rugosa roses produce incredibly fragranced, single-layered, large pinkish-purple or lavender flowers from early summer to first frost. The flowers are followed by striking rose-hip edible fruit resembling cherry tomatoes, nearly as beautiful as the flowers themselves.
Rugosa roses thrive in full sun to part shade and in rich, moist, and acidic, well-draining soil. Rugosa roses require regular watering to keep their striking blooms healthy and fresh.
Rugosa roses and azaleas have similar sun and soil requirements.
Rugosa rose petals can treat spleen, liver, circulation, digestion, and menstruation issues. The leaves are infused in a tea to treat fevers.
17. Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus is a beautiful shrub native to China and India. Rose of Sharon grows in hardy zones of 5-9 and matures to 8-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
The Rose of Sharon is a gorgeous shrub known for its large, profuse trumpet-shaped blooms with striking stamens that showcase from summer to fall. Their wavy blooms have 1-2 layers of paper-like petals of white, red, lavender, and light blue.
The Rose of Sharon tolerates various medium-moisture, well-draining soil types but prefers nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
The Rose of Sharon is full sun to part shade lover, similar to azaleas. The Rose of Sharon has average water requirements; weekly watering is sufficient.
Rose of Sharon is used for diuretic purposes. It is also treats skin diseases and dizziness.
18. Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides is a tropical evergreen shrub native to China, Japan, and Taiwan. These broadleaf evergreens are hardy to zones 8-11 and grow 5-6 feet tall with a similar spread.
Gardenias are noted for their exceptionally large, glossy green, lance-shaped leaves, and vigorous, profuse rose-like blooms. These intensely fragranced white flowers grace us in late spring to early summer.
Gardenias thrive in temperatures above 60°F when placed in partially shady areas and consistently moist, organically rich, well-draining soil. Keep gardenias soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Gardenias and azaleas have similar sun, soil, and water preferences.
Gardenia is taken orally to treat a large variety of illnesses, including anxiety, agitation, bladder infections, constipation, liver disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis.
19. Dwarf Fothergilla
Fothergilla gardenii is a slow-growing deciduous shrub native to south-eastern U.S. Dwarf fothergilla grow in hardy zones of 5-8 and mature 2-3 feet tall with a similar spread.
Dwarf fothergilla is a gorgeous shrub that adds long-lasting beauty to a garden for three seasons of the year. In spring, the shrub is covered in honey-scented, upright, creamy-white bottlebrush flowers before any foliage emerges.
Then, in summer, attractive oval-shaped, dark blue-green leaves form. The attractive foliage warms up to deep yellow, burgundy orange, and rust-red colors in autumn.
Dwarf fothergilla is full sun to part shade lover and thrives in average, medium, slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
Like azaleas, the dwarf fothergilla requires evenly moist soil to thrive. Water your fothergilla regularly.
The dwarf fothergilla is adored for its striking ornamental purposes for three seasons of the year.
20. Korean Spice Viburnum
Viburnum carlesii is a deciduous shrub native to Korea and Japan. Korean spice viburnum grows in hardy zones of 4-7 and mature to 6 feet tall and wide.
Korean spice viburnum is a bushy shrub clothed with broad dark green, ovate leaves, which warm up to beautiful wine-red leaves in the fall. From spring to late summer, the Korean spice viburnum showcases a profusion of stunning snowball blooms with white inflorescences that give way to dark red berries that ripen to a hue of blue-black in summer.
Korean spice viburnum thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers relatively rich, acidic, moist, and well-draining soil. Maintain evenly moist soil conditions; a deep, weekly watering session is sufficient to keep these plants happy and thriving.
Korean spice viburnum and Azalea both thrive in full sun to part shade and need uniformly moist soil.
Viburnum is used to treat muscle spasms and cramps.
21. Mountain Andromeda
Pieris floribunda is a bushy, evergreen native to the eastern United States. Mountain andromeda is hardy to zones 5-8 and grows 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Mountain andromeda has delightful oval-shaped, glossy, green foliage throughout all seasons. Conspicuous flower buds form during fall that turns greenish-white during winter. In spring, these pyramidical clusters of flower buds open into distinctively fragranced, urn-shaped white blooms.
Mountain andromeda thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, slightly acidic, moist, and well-draining soil. Mountain andromeda thrives in evenly moist soil conditions.
Mountain andromeda and Azalea both thrive in full sun to part shade and need uniformly moist soil.
Mountain andromeda is excellent evergreen shrubs for borders and hedges.
22. Catawba Rosebay
Rhododendron catawbiense is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the south-eastern United States. Catawba rosebay is hardy to zones 4-8 and grows 6-10 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide.
Catawba rosebay has large, oval-shaped foliage that boasts trusses of lilac flowers in mid-spring to early summer. Each truss holds up to 20 trumpet-shaped flowers with brownish-yellow throat markings.
Azaleas and Catawba rosebay have similar blooms.
Like Azalea, the Catawba rosebay is a part shade lover and thrives in fertile, moist, acidic, well-draining soil. Aim to keep Catawba rosebay’s soil uniformly moist.
Catawba rosebay is lovely ornamental.
23. Candytuft
Iberis Sempervirens is a perennial flower native to the Mediterranean. Candytuft grows in hardy zones of 4-8 and matures to 12-18 inches tall and 12-16 inches wide.
Among the purest of garden whites- Candytuft is a late spring bloomer with leathery, evergreen foliage and inflorescences of pure white, four-petaled flowers enlightened with delicate yellow dots. Unfortunately, contrary to its pleasant name, Candytuft has a relatively unpleasant aroma.
Candytuft prefers temperatures of 75°F-85°F and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Well-draining soil is critical for Candytuft to survive. Candytuft prefers gravelly, well-drained soil. Candytuft needs moderate watering approximately 1-2 times per week.
Candytuft and azaleas have similar sun and water requirements.
Candytuft treats gout, rheumatism, and arthritis.
24. Flamingo Willow
Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ is deciduous broadleaf shrubs native to China, Japan, Korea, and south-eastern Siberia. Flaming willow grows in a hardiness zone of 5-7 and mature to 4-6 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide.
The flamingo willow is a shrub of genuinely great beauty with graceful branches covered in lance-shaped, variegated foliage in colors of white, green, and touches of pink during spring.
Unfortunately, the flamingo willow has insignificant blooms, similar to other willow shrubs. In fall, the leaves turn in hues of yellow before fall; once the leaves drop, beautiful coral-red branches reveal themselves during winter.
Flamingo willow is best grown in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, fertile, and well-draining soil conditions. The flamingo willow needs consistently moist soil; water the plant twice a week.
Flamingo willow and azaleas have similar sun, soil, and water requirements.
Flamingo willow is a beautiful ornamental.
25. Beautyberry
Callicarpa Americana is a perennial shrub native to North America. Beautyberry has a hardy zone of 6-10 and matures to 3-6 feet tall with a similar spread.
Beautyberry has a natural loose and arching habit with long, elegant branches and medium-green foliage. It bears panicles of fairly insignificant, petite, lavender flowers along its stem in early summer, flowed by plump clusters of glossy violet to magenta berries during late summer.
Beautyberry thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist, and friable soil rich with organic matter. Beautyberry likes uniformly moist soil, similar to azaleas; they need roughly one inch of water per week.
Beautyberry and azaleas have similar water and sun requirements.
Beautyberry roots are used in baths to treat rheumatism, fever, and malaria.
References:
- HomeGuides
- Better Homes and Gardens
- Live-native.com
- Go Botany: Native Plant Trust
- Best Garden Info
- Rural Sprout