Quick answer: Swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) is native to 15 states. What's commonly sold under this name is often a bred variety or the wrong species — see the lookalike alert below. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | High water, Wet, flood tolerant |
| Soil | Wet, acidic soil |
| Bloom | Bloom May-Aug |
| Height | Up to 5 ft, sometimes 15 ft |
| Wildlife value | Low wildlife value, special value to bumble bees, attracts birds, all parts highly toxic |
All plant parts highly toxic if ingested; symptoms: salivation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, progressive paralysis; honey from flowers may also be toxic
Lookalike alert
⚠ No fix found 16 Sep 2026 — no genuine Amazon.com listing found; searches return generic/cultivar Rhododendron and Encore Azalea products.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Swamp azalea
Where is Swamp azalea native?
Swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) is native to 15 states across the Northeast and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Swamp azalea bloom?
Swamp azalea blooms May-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Swamp azalea need?
Light: Part Shade. Water: High water, Wet, flood tolerant. Soil: Wet, acidic soil. Mature height: Up to 5 ft, sometimes 15 ft.
Is Swamp azalea good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Low wildlife value, special value to bumble bees, attracts birds, all parts highly toxic.
Is Swamp azalea deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Swamp azalea is tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Is Swamp azalea toxic?
All plant parts highly toxic if ingested; symptoms: salivation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, progressive paralysis; honey from flowers may also be toxic.
Where can I buy Swamp azalea?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Rhododendron viscosum by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Swamp azalea.
- Inkberry Ilex glabra
- Swamp sunflower Helianthus angustifolius
- Swamp rose Rosa palustris
- White turtlehead Chelone glabra
- Southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
- Mountain azalea Rhododendron canescens
Also listed under
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