Swamp azalea
Rhododendron serrulatum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Swamp azalea (Rhododendron serrulatum) is a perennial shrub native to AL, FL, GA. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw butterflies, moths, and bees.
Swamp azalea is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Swamp azalea is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
60"–120" H × 48"–72" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, FL, GA
Pollinators
butterflies, moths, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A deciduous shrub with an upright, somewhat open habit and clusters of intensely fragrant white flowers with long curved stamens, blooming later in summer than most native azaleas in wet hammocks and bog margins.
Growing Swamp azalea
Grow Swamp azalea in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 60 to 120 inches tall and spread 48 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Fragrant flowers attract swallowtail butterflies and sphinx moths as key pollinators.
Common questions
- How much sun does Swamp azalea need?
- Swamp azalea grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Swamp azalea bloom?
- Swamp azalea blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Swamp azalea native?
- Swamp azalea (Rhododendron serrulatum) is native to AL, FL, GA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Swamp azalea toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Swamp azalea is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Swamp azalea toxic to cats?
- Yes. Swamp azalea is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Swamp azalea attract?
- Swamp azalea draws butterflies, moths, and bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Swamp azalea and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.