This native flowering shrub grows in the eastern region of the United States. When you can identify it, leave a comment with the plant’s common and scientific names. Also, share any personal story you may have about the plant.
Buds on plant in late winter
Flower bud expanding
Leaves breading bud
Inflorescence opening
Flowers
Inflorescence after blooming
Leaves
ANSWER (subsequently added to this post to facilitate the “search” function for these images): Pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
Pinkshell Azalea or Rhododendron vaseyi
I love native plants, especially when they are as pretty as this. I have planted several of these along with a cousin, the pretty white Swamp Azalea at my home in northeast Massachusetts.
This is a wild or Pinxter azalea. They grow in the woods where I used to live in New Jersey. I found them one Spring after I had just moved into the house by following the beautiful scent. I had come home from work, got out of my car, and smelled a sweet fragrance. Literally following my nose, I found several growing in the wooded area behind my house. A beautiful surprise.
Pinxter flower, a deciduous azalea. I found one years ago, within walking distance of my house here in central New Jersey, then road work was done and they destroyed the poor thing. Every spring I keep my eyes open, but haven’t found another. The white swamp azalea is common here, especially down the shore, but not nearly so pretty or fragrant (and much later blooming). We don’t get the wild evergreen Rhododendrons here either, just see them in older landscaping.
I have one of these in my yard on a stream, the first one I saw I thought it looked like honeysuckle . I believe it is Rhododendron periclymenoides (Michx.) Shinners
pink azalea.
Annie, you were so close. You did have the correct genus (Rhododendron) and the color of the blooms is similar to the Pinkshell azalea.
This is actually Rhododendron periclymenoides which is variously known as Pinxterbloom azalea, Pink azalea, and Pinxterflower. Donna and Sara got the common name while Rachel gave us the scientific name.
Thanks for all your personal stories about this spring blooming plant.