Rhododendron ‘Dwarf Double White’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, and part-shade beds.
Benefits: A compact evergreen azalea with double white flowers in spring. Its low, dense habit fits the front of foundation beds and brightens shady corners.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–9
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Mounding — dense and compact.
Bloom Color: White (double)
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green
Mature Height: 2–4 feet
Mature Width: 3–5 feet
Bloom Season: Mid to late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Clean white, fully petaled flowers that light up the shadiest corner of the yard.
White azaleas do something colored ones cannot: they brighten shade. Dwarf Double White covers itself in mid to late spring with double white flowers, each packed with extra petals so the blooms look full and soft rather than flat. Against the dark green of the foliage, the effect is crisp and clean, and it reads clearly under trees, along the shady side of a house, and in the fading light of evening.
Its compact size is a big part of its appeal. The plant forms a low, dense mound about two to four feet tall and three to five feet wide, small enough to tuck in front of taller shrubs, beside steps, or along a walk without crowding the space.
The glossy, dark green leaves stay on through the year, so the plant keeps beds looking finished between bloom seasons. White also works with everything, making it an easy partner for pink, red, or purple azaleas, hostas, and ferns.
Plant it in partial shade or morning sun with acidic, well-drained soil, and it will brighten the same spot spring after spring.
Care
Dwarf Double White Azalea Care
Plant in partial shade or where the shrub gets morning sun and afternoon shade. A few hours of direct light keeps flowering heavy, while hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and invite lace bugs.
Azaleas need acidic, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. The roots are fine and shallow and do not tolerate standing water, so in heavy clay, mix in compost and set the plant with the top of the root ball slightly above grade. A two-to-three-inch layer of pine bark or shredded leaves, kept back from the stems, holds moisture and keeps the roots cool.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season and during dry spells after that. A deep watering in late fall before the ground freezes helps the evergreen leaves through winter.
Fertilize lightly. One application of a slow release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, after bloom, is enough.
Flower buds for next spring form in summer, so prune only right after flowering. The compact habit rarely needs shaping. In Zone 6, a site sheltered from strong winter wind and sun helps prevent leaf browning.
Growing in Containers
Its dwarf size makes it a natural fit for patio containers and planters by a shaded door. Use a pot with drainage holes and a potting mix made for acid-loving plants. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often in warm weather, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Dwarf Double White Azalea for Sale Online?
Our Dwarf Double White Azalea ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants shipped in fall or winter are past bloom and may show some yellowing or bronzing on older leaves, which is normal. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Dwarf Double White Azalea Grow?
Expect about 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a dense, rounded mound. Space plants about 3 feet apart for a low hedge or mass planting.
Additional Information
What does a double flower look like?
A double azalea flower carries extra layers of petals in the center instead of the usual single ring, so each bloom looks fuller, rounder, and softer. On a white azalea, that fullness makes the flowers stand out even more against the dark foliage. See our full selection of Azaleas.
Why plant a white azalea in shade?
White reflects more light than any other flower color, so it stays visible in shade and at dusk when darker colors fade into the background. A white azalea is one of the simplest ways to brighten the shady side of a house or the area under trees, and it pairs with any other azalea color.
Will the leaves stay on through winter?
Mostly. It holds the bulk of its leaves through winter, though some older leaves may yellow and drop in fall, and more may drop after a hard winter at the cold end of its range. That is normal for evergreen azaleas. For more year-round foliage, browse our Evergreen Plants.
Is Dwarf Double White Azalea deer resistant?
No. Deer browse azaleas, especially in winter. Where deer are common, protect plants with fencing or a repellent, or consider options from our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
