In most neighborhoods, spring comes in shades of pink and white with azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurels lining driveways like clockwork. They’ve been planted for decades, often without anyone really knowing which is which. But look closer and the differences start to matter: how they grow, when they bloom, and whether they truly belong where they’re planted. If you’ve ever wondered which one is which—or which one actually fits your yard—here’s how to tell them apart.
What do they have in common?
There are three basic similarities between these three plants:
1. They are in the same plant family
All three belong to the heath family (Ericaceae), which also includes favorites like blueberries and cranberries.
2. They are all flowering shrubs
These plants all produce colorful flowers that brighten up your yard during their blooming seasons. However, each plant has different blooming seasons. More on that in a few paragraphs…
3. They all love shade and/or part shade
Naturally growing under trees, these shrubs thrive in partial shade and some species can handle deeper shade, too.
Now that we know about their basic similarities, let’s meet all three.
Native azaleas
Rhododendron
There are 18 species of azaleas native to North America. Azaleas cover themselves with five-petaled flowers in the spring. Each of these flowers comes with long “eyelashes” (called stamens) emerging from the center. Native azaleas lose their leaves in the winter (the word for this is deciduous). To make it a little confusing, azaleas are all included within the Rhododendron genus group.
Mountain laurels
Kalmia
All mountain laurel species are native to North America. Mountain laurels have tiny geometric-shaped flowers and are evergreen (keep their leaves year-round.) You’ll know you’ve got a mountain laurel if the Latin name starts with Kalmia.
Spring bloom-time.
Native rhododendrons
Rhododendron
There are 850+ rhododendron species worldwide with ten native to North America. Native rhododendrons are known for their dense clumps of large flowers and their large glossy evergreen leaves.
Rhododendrons typically bloom in late spring or early summer, depending on the variety.
Now, let’s find the differences between these plants.
What are the differences between azaleas, mountain laurels, and rhododendrons?
Three differences between these three plants include:
1. Mountain laurels and most rhododendrons are evergreen
After mountain laurels and native rhododendrons bloom, their evergreen glossy leaves look great year-round. Because of their evergreen ways, these two plants are perfect shrubs to plant in highly visible areas. If you live in the Northeast, Midwest, or Mid-Atlantic, plant a few of each when you can.
Rhododendrons still have their green leaves in the winter.
Mountain laurels are still green, even in the snow.
On the other hand…
2. Native azaleas are deciduous
North American native azaleas are deciduous, which means they lose their leaves in the winter. The good news is that many native azaleas’ leaves turn beautiful colors in the fall, giving lots of color even when their blooms are long gone.
Now, let’s talk about the difference in their size.
3. Mountain laurels tend to be smaller
Mountain laurels are compact, smaller shrubs that grow between 3 to 8 feet. Their branches grow in more open, sculptural forms.
Native rhododendrons and azaleas are typically larger shrubs or even small trees, reaching heights of several feet or more. They often have a more upright growth habit and can form dense clusters of foliage, unless pruned to look differently.
Now that you’ve met these native beauties, let’s talk about what to consider when buying native mountain laurels, rhododendrons, and azaleas for your garden.
The Rhododendron genus includes 850+ species from all over the world. Pay attention to the Latin name to make sure you’re planting native.
Check the nursery tag twice to make sure you’re buying native
We mentioned earlier that a few of these plants have huge, world-spanning plant families. The Rhododendron genus includes 850+ species from all over the world. Pay attention to the Latin name to make sure you’re planting native. (Sadly, most big-box nurseries only carry the non-native types.) You can find the Latin names for the native species in our profiles for native mountain laurels, native azaleas, and native rhododendrons.
If the Latin name is missing, be wary. Find a native nursery instead to be sure you’re getting a native shrub. Here are four reliable, trusted sources for finding native plants in your area:
FAQs
How can I tell if it’s native mountain laurel?
Any mountain laurel you see—whether a true native or a cultivar—comes from plants native to North America.
Feel confident that when you see a Latin plant name that starts with Kalmia, you’ve found a native shrub.
How can I tell if it’s a native azalea or rhododendron?
It’s harder to ensure it’s native when it comes to azalea and rhododendrons. It is worth repeating that there are hundreds of species within the rhododendron genus; most of which are native to Asia. When you’re looking for native azaleas or native rhododendrons:
Now you know the basic differences between native azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendrons. We hope this inspires you to plant all three in your semi-shady or shady gardens. Each of these native shrubs is easy to plant, easy to care for, and saves hundreds of hours of work compared to lawn care. Because all of these shrubs are perennials, they will come back year after year. Spend a morning or afternoon planting one of these shrubs and watch them return beauty for decades.
Where to next? How about our Best Native Trees for Front Yards, or our Best Native Plants for Birds? Or explore the plant profiles we mentioned, below. Happy planting!
Sources
- Nelson, Gil. Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals, (2010).
- Harstad, Carolyn. Go Native! Gardening with Native Plants and Wildflowers in the Lower Midwest. (1999), 209-210.
Other flowering shrubs:
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