Azalea ‘Rosy Lights’

Azalea ‘Rosy Lights’: Hardy Bloom with Northern Grace

With its richly coloured, rose-pink blooms and proven cold resilience, ‘Rosy Lights’ brings romantic charm to the spring garden—even in the harshest climates. A standout from the Northern Lights series, this deciduous azalea produces masses of fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers before the foliage fully emerges, creating a dramatic early-season show. Upright and well-branched, it maintains a compact form and delivers a second season of interest as its foliage turns bronze-red in fall.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 120–150 cm (4–5 ft)
• Spread: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Flower Colour: Rose-pink
• Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
• Foliage: Medium green turning bronze-red in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Acidic, moist but well-drained, high in organic matter

Uses and Benefits: Ideal for mass plantings, woodland edges, and foundation borders. ‘Rosy Lights’ adds a bright floral impact to spring and serves as a reliable structural shrub through the rest of the growing season. Its cold hardiness makes it an excellent choice for northern landscapes, where evergreen azaleas may not thrive.

Care Instructions: Requires acidic, well-drained soil enriched with compost or peat. Water regularly in dry conditions, especially during establishment. Prune immediately after blooming to shape or rejuvenate. Mulch to retain soil moisture and protect roots in winter.

History: Bred at the University of Minnesota, ‘Rosy Lights’ is part of the renowned Northern Lights series—developed specifically for cold hardiness and vibrant colour. It has become a favourite among gardeners in northern climates looking for reliable performance and spring spectacle.

Final Thoughts: Bold, fragrant, and built for winter resilience, ‘Rosy Lights’ is a go-to deciduous azalea for anyone seeking colour and confidence in cooler growing regions.