Their names include 'Lemon Lights,' 'Northern Highlights,' 'Pink Lights,' 'Rosy Lights' and 'Orchid Lights'. An added benefit is their magnificent fragrance. They bloom from mid-May to the first of June. If all that wasn't enough to convince you of the beauty of 'Northern Lights' azaleas, they add a tremendous show of fall color. A flush of maroon to red will engulf the plant as your garden goes to sleep for the winter.
Cold hardiness is only one of the challenges to growing azaleas and rhododendrons.
Since azaleas grow naturally in wooded areas in well-drained acidic soils high in organic matter, we must mimic these conditions for the plants to grow well. Before planting, get a soil test to determine its acidity and how much sulfur is needed to lower the pH to 4.0 to 5.5. Add organic matter such as leaf compost or peat moss to the top twelve inches of soil. In areas of poor drainage, 12-inch tall raised beds may better insure the plant's survival. Azaleas are shallow-rooted, so mulching with wood chips, a regular supply of water and no hoeing are crucial.