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Rhododendron 'My Mary'
$27.95 ea $22.36 ea
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Rhododendron 'Lemon Lights'
$16.95 ea $11.87 ea
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Rhododendron 'Lemon Dream'
$18.95 ea $13.27 ea
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Rhododendron 'Ingrid Mehlquist'
$24.95 ea
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Rhododendron 'Helsinki University'
$17.95 ea
Rhododendron 'Northern Hi-Lights'
Lovely red and burgundy fall foliage!
Developed by the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for its Northern Lights series of ultra cold-hardy Rhododendrons, 'Northern Hi-Lights' is true-blue bud-hardy to -30 degrees F. Bushy, well-branched, and naturally rounded, it presents an attractive silhouette from spring through fall, terrific mildew resistance keeping its foliage lush and healthy. Utterly trouble-free, it goes where few other Azaleas have dared, and bounces back each spring more beautiful than before!
The blooms are butter-and-sugar colored -- white with a single prominent lick of golden-yellow on the upper petals. They are held in large, beautiful clusters all over this shrub, their elegant anthers extending well beyond the flowers for a frilly effect. Very, very fragrant, they will be the focal point of the garden throughout their season of bloom.
'Northern Hi-Lights' reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, just right for the foundation, a hedge, along the driveway, or in the border. It loves full sun in the north, partial shade farther south and west. A slow grower, it keeps its dense habit effortlessly! And in autumn, its glossy foliage turns brilliant shades of red and burgundy, remaining on the shrub for several weeks before dropping.
This Azalea is the hybrid of an Exbury seedling and an unidentified Azalea seedling. It combines beautifully with others in the Northern Lights series, as well as other cold-tolerant Azaleas. In the border, it makes a welcome companion to Kalmia, Pieris, and Astilbe, among many others. Enjoy this exceptionally lovely and high performing Azalea! Zones 4-7.
| Genus | Rhododendron |
| Variety | 'Northern Hi-Lights' |
| Bloom Season | Late Spring |
| Habit | Mound-shaped |
| Zone | 4 - 7 |
| Plant Height | 4 ft - 5 ft |
| Plant Width | 5 ft |
| Item Form | 1-Quart |
| Additional Characteristics | Bloom First Year, Butterfly Lovers, Easy Care Plants, Fall Color, Fragrance, Free Bloomer |
| Bloom Color | Light Cream, Multi-Color, White, Yellow |
| Foliage Color | Burgundy, Dark Green, Red |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Part Shade |
| Moisture Requirements | Moist, well-drained |
| Resistance | Cold Hardy, Disease Resistant, Powdery Mildew |
| Soil Tolerance | Clay, Normal, loamy |
| Uses | Border, Fall Color, Foliage Interest, Hedge, Specimen |
| Restrictions | CAN, HI, PR |
Azaleas and Rhododendrons have been interbred since the first plants were scooped out of the dirt, and for a while these "crossbreeds" were even referred to by some ghastly name — Azaleodendrons or the like.
The old rule of thumb used to be that azaleas are deciduous and rhododendrons evergreen, but if that was ever true, it isn't anymore.
The differences between the two are slight, so slight in fact that botanists do not break them into the two groups that gardeners have come to know. Rhododendrons have 10 stamens per flower, while Azaleas have only five. While both can be deciduous, that trait is typically seen more in Azaleas than Rhododendrons. The shape of the leaves is often another indicator, with larger, paddle-shaped leaves typical of Rhododendrons, Azaleas often have smaller, elliptical leaves and trumpet, or tubular-shaped flowers at the ends of the shoots.
