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Azalea

An impressive collection of rhododendrons

Norfolk Botanical Garden is home to approximately 3,826 officially recorded plants representing 558 species and cultivars. This makes it the Garden’s largest plant collection!

Where to Find Them: These colorful blooms, often called azaleas, can be found throughout the Garden, but some of the best spots to see them are the Rhododendron Glade, Mirror Lake, and the Enchanted Forest. Plus, with many older plantings around Mirror Lake and the Enchanted Forest not officially recorded, the total number of rhododendrons in the Garden may be over 50,000!

Rhododendron vs Azalea

The Rhododendron genus is large and complex, with over 900 species. Azaleas belong to this genus but are different enough to be in their own subgroup.

Rhododendron

Most Rhododendron have 10 Stamens, are always evergreen, and have bell-shaped flowers.

Azalea

Azaleas usually have 5 stamens, can be either deciduous (losing leaves in winter) or evergreen, and have funnel-shaped flowers.