Rhododendron canescens, commonly called mountain azalea, Piedmont azalea, hoary azalea, or Florida Pinkster, is a large deciduous shrub that is native to moist woods, swamp margins, and along streams from North Carolina to Florida west to Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. It typically grows to 6-8’ tall in cultivation, but less frequently may grow to 10-15’ tall. Its bark is gray to reddish/brown and finely shredded.
This plant is sometimes stoloniferous (spread by runners).
Members of the genus Rhododendron support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Andrena) cornelli.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rhododendrons are susceptible to insect and disease problems. Insect problems include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Full sun can scorch the leaves and the roots rot if soil does not drain well. A healthy plant in the right place with proper maintenance should have few problems.