Madrone Azalea

[Cruiser]

Starting a progression thread for this azalea dug from a friend’s yard in 2023.




Azaleas are not my usual cup of tea, but this one has potential to resemble a Pacific madrone. (Arbutus menziesii) Red bark, a leaning form, leaf shape, deadwood…all fairly similar.






The tree was put into a flat on 3/8/25. Recovery is the goal for now.

 

[Glaucus]

It is not an azalea. Not sure what it is. But that may help you on deciding how to manage the deadwood.

 

[Cruiser]

It is not an azalea. Not sure what it is. But that may help you on deciding how to manage the deadwood.

Does anyone else have ideas for what the species is? Family or genus?

It has not flowered in the time under my care but has produced flower buds for this season.

Roots are fine and dense. They appear to have mycorrhiza or bacterial nodules in some places.

 

[Glaucus]

Once it flowers, maybe you can run it through a plant ID service to see if it may be a rhododendron. Or, one may be able to tell from the flowers. Best way to ID plants is through their flowers. Because leaves are often convergent evolution.

 

[Cruiser]

The tree appears to be a lepidote rhododendron.

Leaves have scales.


Compared to azalea (left). The azalea leaves are hairy and do not have scales. The rhody lacks hairs.

Leaf is thicker. Waxier.


Not sure if the buds are much different.


I am excited to see it flower. Hopefully the repot did not set it back too much.

 

[Glaucus]

Ah yes, with the flower bud closeup, this is definitely a dwarf rhody.
Not a dwarf rhody expert, but I was surprised to see so much rough bark on it.

 

[Cruiser]

Ah yes, with the flower bud closeup, this is definitely a dwarf rhody.
Not a dwarf rhody expert, but I was surprised to see so much rough bark on it.

Thanks for confirming.
Rhododendron is Washington’s state flower, so this adds another layer of enjoyment to the tree.