Best Rhododendron Shrub Plants of 2026

Steven Taylor Avatar
Steven Taylor
Last Updated: Jan 31, 2026

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The Rhododendron shrub plants are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape. With their vibrant and colorful flowers, these plants instantly bring life and charm to any outdoor space. Rhododendrons are known for their ability to thrive in various climates and soil conditions, making them a versatile option for gardeners of all levels. Whether you're looking to create a stunning focal point or add a pop of color to your garden, the Rhododendron shrub plants are a fantastic choice.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty Cover #TOP 1
Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Florida Foliage Purple Formosa Azalea Cover #TOP 2
Florida Foliage Purple Formosa Azalea
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo Shrub Cover #TOP 3
Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo Shrub
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Rhododendron Shrub Plants

Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty

Autumn Royalty
Purple
1 Gal.
Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty Cover
Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty (1 Gallon) Azalea of The Year Purple Flowering Shrub - Full Sun Live Outdoor Rhododendron Plants

The Encore Azalea Autumn Royalty is a reblooming evergreen shrub that produces beautiful deep pink flowers and requires little pruning. It can be used as a focal point in yards and gardens and can attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. It is hardy in zones 6-10 and prefers partial shade for optimal blooms. This potted plant is shipped with soil from the Alabama Gulf Coast.

What We Like
Produces months of beauty instead of weeks
Requires little pruning
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
Hardy in zones 6-10
Ships as a potted plant with soil
#TOP 2

Florida Foliage Purple Formosa Azalea

Florida Foliage Purple Formosa Azalea Cover
Purple Formosa Azalea | 3 Live Plants | Rhododendron Formosum | Lush Flowering Shrub | Hardy Garden Landscape Accent | Vibrant Spring Blooms

Florida Foliage Azalea, a vibrant shrub, offers year-round rich purple blooms, lush green foliage, easy maintenance, and versatile landscaping options. The vibrant purple flowers add color to your garden. The deep green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop. Minimal upkeep is needed, thriving in various light conditions. Perfect for creating a garden oasis or hedging. Delivered healthy and ready to grow.

What We Like
Vibrant purple blooms
Lush green foliage
Easy maintenance
Versatile landscaping
#TOP 3

Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo Shrub

Autumn Bravo
Blazing Red
1 Gal.
Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo Shrub Cover
Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo Shrub, 1 Gal, Blazing Red

The Encore Azalea Autumn Bravo is a versatile shrub that grows best in USDA zones 6 through 10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It reaches a mature size of about 54 inches wide and 48 inches tall, giving you a nicely sized plant for your garden or landscape. This evergreen shrub keeps its leaves all year, providing consistent greenery and beauty through every season. Plus, it's low maintenance, so you won't have to spend a lot of time caring for it, letting you enjoy a vibrant garden with minimal effort.

What We Like
Zone 6-10 adaptability
Mature size 54" x 48"
Evergreen year-round
Low maintenance care
#TOP 4

Encore Azalea Autumn Twist Shrub

Autumn Twist
1 Gallon
Encore Azalea Autumn Twist Shrub Cover
Encore Azalea 1 Gal. Autumn Twist Azalea Shrub

The Encore Autumn Twist Azalea is a versatile shrub that thrives in USDA zones 6a through 10b, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It grows to a manageable size of about 48 inches wide and 54 inches tall, so you can easily fit it into your garden or landscape. This plant is low maintenance, which means it won’t require much effort to keep it healthy and looking great. Plus, it stays evergreen throughout the year, providing consistent color and interest no matter the season. This makes the Encore Autumn Twist Azalea a great choice for anyone looking to add beauty without extra work.

What We Like
Wide climate adaptability
Compact mature size
Low maintenance care
Year-round evergreen appeal
#TOP 5

Encore Azalea Autumn Amethyst Encore

Autumn Amethyst
Purple
1 Gallon
Encore Azalea Autumn Amethyst Encore Cover
Autumn Amethyst Encore Azalea (1 Gallon) - Purple, Pink Flowering Shrub - Reblooming Rhododendron Plants

The Encore Azalea Autumn Amethyst is a beautiful flowering shrub that thrives in hardiness zones 6 through 9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It prefers full sunlight, so you can enjoy vibrant blooms when planted in sunny spots. This shrub grows to about 4 feet tall and wide, providing a manageable size perfect for gardens or patios. It comes in a 1-gallon container, making it easy for you to transport and plant. With these features, the Encore Azalea Autumn Amethyst offers an attractive, easy-to-care-for option to enhance your outdoor space.

What We Like
Wide hardiness range
Full sun tolerance
Compact size
Convenient 1-gallon pot
#TOP 6

Encore Azalea Autumn Embers Shrub

Autumn Embers
1 Gal.
Encore Azalea Autumn Embers Shrub Cover
Encore Azalea 1 Gal. Autumn Embers Azalea Shrub

The Encore Azalea Autumn Embers is a great choice if you live in USDA zones 6 through 10, as it grows well in these climates. It reaches a mature size of about 42 inches wide and 36 inches tall, making it a manageable shrub for your garden or container. This evergreen shrub keeps its leaves year-round, so you get continuous greenery and color. It’s also low maintenance, saving you time and effort in care. With blooms that appear in spring, summer, and fall, this Encore Azalea Autumn Embers offers long-lasting beauty and interest throughout much of the year.

What We Like
Suitable for zones 6-10
Compact mature size
Evergreen foliage
Low maintenance
#TOP 7

Encore Azalea Autumn Sangria Shrub

Autumn Sangria
Neon Pink
1 Gal.
Encore Azalea Autumn Sangria Shrub Cover
Encore Azalea 1 Gal. Autumn Sangria Azalea Shrub

The Encore Azalea Shrub is a great choice for gardeners in USDA zones 6 through 10, meaning it can thrive in a wide range of climates. Its mature size, reaching about 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall, makes it a manageable plant for many garden spaces. You’ll appreciate how low maintenance this shrub is, as it requires minimal care to stay healthy and beautiful. Plus, it stays green all year long, offering consistent visual interest no matter the season. This makes the Encore Azalea Shrub an easy and attractive addition to your garden or landscape.

What We Like
Wide climate adaptability
Compact mature size
Low maintenance needs
Year-round greenery
#TOP 8

TANKDA Live Red-Pink Cold Hardy Azalea

Red Pink
TANKDA Live Red-Pink Cold Hardy Azalea Cover
Live Red-Pink Azalea Plant, Cold Hardy Azalea Plant, Reblooming Flowering Azalea Shrub, Rhododendron Like, Azalea Bush for Outdoor Gardening

The TANKDA Cold Hardy Azalea is a great choice if you want to keep your garden lively even in colder months, thanks to its ability to stay green year-round. This plant is easy to care for during winter, so you won’t have to spend much time on maintenance. It also adds a nice seasonal touch to your outdoor space, making your landscape more appealing. If you want to grow it indoors, you can easily move it inside or use grow lights to ensure it keeps thriving. This makes the TANKDA Cold Hardy Azalea a flexible and attractive option for gardeners.

What We Like
Year-round greenery
Low winter maintenance
Seasonal landscape enhancement
Indoor growing option
#TOP 9

Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire Shrub

EA-371
1 gal
Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire Shrub Cover
Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire (1 Gallon) Red Flowering Shrub - Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant - Azalea Shrub - Rhododendron

The Encore Azalea Autumn Bonfire is a fast-growing dwarf azalea that is perfect for your garden year-round. It produces beautiful red single and semi-double blooms throughout spring, summer, and fall that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This low-maintenance shrub is hardy in USDA Zones 6a-10b and requires 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. It ships as a 1-gallon potted plant with soil from the Alabama Gulf Coast.

What We Like
Healthy plants upon arrival
Beautiful blooms in various seasons
Well-packaged for shipping
Vibrant colors
Adaptable to various climates

New Life Nursery Mandarin Lights Orange Azalea

New Life Nursery Mandarin Lights Orange Azalea Cover
(1) - Mandarin Lights Orange Deciduous Azalea - Starter Plants (7L) (1 Live Plant)

The New Life Mandarin Lights Azalea is a vibrant deciduous shrub that offers a stunning burst of bright orange flowers in spring, making your garden stand out before the leaves even appear. It arrives without a pot but is carefully wrapped to keep the soil and roots secure, so you can plant it right away with minimal mess. This hardy plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and grows to a manageable 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, perfect for adding color as an accent or in larger groupings. Its glossy green leaves and vivid blooms bring a unique charm that few other azaleas can match, enhancing your outdoor space beautifully.

What We Like
Bright orange spring blooms
Hardy and easy to grow
Compact size for versatile planting
Glossy green foliage
Careful shipping with root protection
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I grow rhododendron from seed?

Rhododendrons are easily grown from seed. The seeds will remain viable for more than a year if they are stored cool and dry in glassine envelopes. In most cases they can be expected to germinate close to one hundred percent. Choose hybrid seed or open-pollinated seed of hybrids or species with great care.

2. How long does it take rhododendron to bloom from seed?

Rhododendrons can flower in 3 to 4 years from seed, and azaleas even sooner. Those first blooms will be the most exciting part since every plant will be slightly different. Some may be prettier than their parents and others not as good, but the next prize winner could be in your own back yard too.

3. Where can I find rhododendron seeds?

Place the pods in a container such as an envelope. Write the variety of the rhododendron on the container so that you do not forget what you have. Check your envelope in a few weeks to see if the pod has broken open, releasing the seeds. Each pod typically holds up to 500 seeds each.

Editor's Notes

During our rhododendron shrub plant research, we found 24 rhododendron shrub plant products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 11,951 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rhododendron shrub plants list. We found that most customers choose rhododendron shrub plants with an average price of $19.83.

The rhododendron shrub plants are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rhododendron shrub plants, including Encore Azalea, Florida Foliage, TANKDA, New Life Nursery & Garden. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Steven Taylor Avatar

Steven Taylor grew up in a small town called Beaufort in South Carolina and his passion for building and woodworking has led him to master the latest garden gadgets. He always holds every chance to patch up or sand down his beloved garden. There are various novel technologies in his articles.