The Lights™ Azalea series were developed at the University of Minnesota and were bred specifically for extreme cold hardiness. These resilient plants have flower buds that are able to withstand temperatures as low as -30°F! These super-hardy buds open to reveal abundant trusses of fragrant, very showy flowers in spring, before the leaves emerge. The flowers encompass a full range of colors and include everything from soft pink to brilliant orange, lemon yellow, and fire-engine red. These are show-stoppers in the spring garden!

One adaptation that the Lights™ series utilize for withstanding extreme cold is to drop their leaves in fall, protecting the foliage from desiccation and cold damage during the winter months. Many offer brilliant red fall foliage color in addition to the spring flower display. Fresh green leaves will emerge in spring after the flowers.

The ideal site for these Azaleas is in light to partial shade, although they will also tolerate full sun. They prefer slightly acidic soil so treating the soil with sulfur at least once a year and fertilizing with an acid fertilizer will benefit them in our alkaline SE Wisconsin soils.

• Mature height: 4′-7′, depending on variety
• Mature spread: 3’ to 5’, depending on variety
• Growth form: Multi-stemmed, upright shrub
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4, flower buds hardy to -30°F
• Flowers: Trusses of very showy flowers in a range of colors including brilliant orange, red and yellow
• Foliage: Deciduous foliage. Green leaves frequently turn blazing red or maroon in fall
• Light requirement: Ideally sited in partial shade, but tolerant of full sun
• Soil Requirements: Prefers humus rich, slightly acidic soil
• Maintenance: Low maintenance. Disease resistant. Pruning is not recommended, but if desired it should be carried out immediately after flowering
• Especially valuable for:
  • Spectacularly showy spring flowers
  • Extreme cold hardiness
  • Fragrance
  • Fall foliage color
  • Shrub borders, foundation plantings, specimen

By Zannah Crowe