15 Dwarf Azalea Varieties For Compact Planting Spaces

When you think of a beautifully growing azalea, you may picture hedges and mass plantings of larger flowering shrubs. These shrubs often come in shades of pinks, purples and whites. However, sometimes you may not have the space or the right growing conditions for these large shrubs.

Dwarf azaleas are simply azaleas that are shorter than other azalea varieties. These smaller plants will typically only grow from 1-3 feet tall. Everything else about them is the same. Some dwarf varieties may be evergreen while others will be deciduous. Most importantly, the flowers will still be just as beautiful on compact varieties as they are on those that are larger.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of compact azalea plants that you can incorporate into garden containers or smaller garden spaces. Let’s dig in and take a deeper look at each!

‘Autumn Bonfire’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Red
	height 3 feet tall, 3 ½ feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-10

‘Autumn bonfire’ is from the encore series of reblooming azaleas. This vareity will produce a prolific bloom in the spring, and then have blooms throughout the summer and fall. This is a fast growing dwarf azalea with bright red double flowers. These glowing red azalea flowers will reach up to 2 ½ inches in diameter. ‘Autumn bonfire’ is an evergreen plant, and will hold onto its dark green glossy leaves all year round.

The rapid growth habit of autumn bonfire makes it a great choice if you need to fill your garden in a pinch, rather than waiting for some slower growing shrubs to fill out your beds.

‘Autumn Chiffon’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet tall, 2 2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Autumn chiffon’ is another reblooming azalea from the encore collection. The flowers on this azalea are a very pale pink with deep pink freckles. They are single flowers that emphasize the deep freckles. Blooming heavily in the spring and then again in the summer and fall these blossoms will reach up to nearly 3 inches in diameter. The leaves are evergreen, and will maintain their dark glossy shade of green all year long.

‘Autumn chiffon’ would make a really pretty low growing hedge, or border garden around a patio or walkway. It would also be really pretty in containers.

‘Autumn Majesty’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Purple
	height 3 feet high, 3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-10

As a member of the encore collection of azaleas, autumn majesty is a reblooming azalea filling your gardens with bountiful blooms all year long. This particular azalea has deep purple double flowers with red freckles throughout  the petals. ‘Autumn majesty’ is a nice compact and rounded shrub with glossy deep green leaves.

Plant ‘Autumn majesty’ in a mass grouping for a beautiful display all year long. This variety would also be beautiful in containers decorating your deck or patios.

‘Bollywood’

	plant type Semi Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet high, 2 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

‘Bollywood’ is a fun and cheery plant. The flowers blossom in bright pink. The leaves are green with creamy edging. The foliage is semi-evergreen which means if you live in a cooler climate you will probably lose your azalea leaves over the winter. These pretty leaves will come back strong next spring though, so don’t worry if you notice leaf drop!

Plant ‘Bollywood’ in containers, or in an area where you are not looking for evergreen coverage over the wintertime.

‘Cherry Drops’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Red
	height 3 feet high, 4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 7-9

This red azalea will grow to 3 feet in height and will creep slightly wider than it is tall. ‘Cherry Drops’ has cherry red colored flowers. They are single flowers that will appear in mid spring. The foliage is evergreen and will be dark green and glossy all year long.

Try planting ‘Cherry Drops‘ as a border in front of your home, or in a woodland edge. The wide growth habit makes cherry drops a great choice for a low hedge as well. The red flowers will really glow in the partial sunlight, adding a dramatic elegance to your gardens.

‘Coastal Azalea’

	plant type Deciduous Shrub
	bloom colors Blush
	height 3 feet high, 5 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

The coastal azalea or, Rhododendron atlanticum, is native to the southeastern United States. This species of rhododendron has white flowers with pink tips to the petals. These flowers can reach up to 1 ½ inches in diameter. This is a deciduous azalea, meaning that it will drop its leaves when the temperatures begin to get chilly.

Rhododendron atlanticum is highly fragrant. I would suggest planting it in a grouping somewhere that you will be able to enjoy the aroma.

‘Delaware Valley White’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors White
	height 4 feet tall, 5 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

This is a pretty white flowered azalea. ‘Delaware Valley White’ is adorned with crisp white flowers with yellow to light green freckles. The flowers can reach up to a whopping 4 inches in diameter. The small leaves on this azalea are evergreen and will retain their green color all year long.

Try planting this variety in a grouping in a woodland garden, or around a patio. They also make great low growing shrubs for lining garden borders or paths.

‘Geisha Girl’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink, White
	height 3 feet high, 4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 7-9

‘Geisha girl’ is a pretty azalea that has white flowers with bright pink edging. The flowers resemble petunias, and are quite charming. The flowers can reach up to 2 ½ inches across. The foliage is a bright green. These leaves are evergreen and will be around to keep your yard looking fresh all year long.

Try planting this variety in containers for some beautiful spring color around your yard. ‘Geisha girl’ would also be beautifully planted in the back of your perennial gardens where it could offer some pretty spring color but also a nice evergreen backdrop.

‘Girard’s National Beauty’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet high, 4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-9

This variety of azalea is infamous for being covered in an incredible amount of flowers. The flowers on ‘Girard’s national beauty‘ are hot pink with frilly edges. The edges really add to the appeal of this shrub, giving the appearance of double flowers. This vareity is also known for its beauty when it is not in bloom. The foliage is evergreen.

This azalea would be beautiful in any woodland setting. Try planting some around the perimeter of your yard on the edge of the woods.

‘Kimono Maraschino’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Red
	height 1 ½ feet high, 3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6

If you are looking for a blooming groundcover, give ‘Kimono Maraschino’ a try. This azalea will only reach about 20 inches in height, but will creep up to three. The flowers on this azalea variety are a reddish pink creating a vibrant blanket throughout your garden. The evergreen leaves will be a dark glossy green for most of the year, but will turn to a deep purple in the fall.

I think this would be a beautiful variety to plant under some Japanese maples, the shades of red would compliment each other very nicely.

‘Kimono May Snow’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors White
	height 1 ½ feet high, 3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

Another lovely azalea variety from the kimono collection is ‘May Snow’. This variety will only reach about 16 inches in height, but will creep up to three feet. May Snow has pretty white flowers with light green freckles and throats. The spreading foliage is a deep, glossy green that will last throughout the season.

Plant this groundcover azalea amongst other evergreen shrubs, or in darker shady corners. The white flowers will help to illuminate those areas while also providing much needed late spring color.

‘Perfecto Mundo Double Purple’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Purple
	height 3 feet high, 3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

This is another beautiful reblooming variety. This variety will bloom in the spring and again in the summer and fall. The double purple flowers are a shade of pure purple flowers with pretty ruffled edges. The foliage is a glossy deep green that will last throughout all of the seasons, even when the flowers are not in bloom.

This would be a beautiful statement plant to position near your front door where the flower won’t be missed. Unlike other azaleas that will not have flowers all year, ‘Perfecto Mundo Double Purple’ will bloom for you all year leaving no bloom gaps in your yard.

‘Perfecto Mundo Double White’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors White
	height 3 feet high, 4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

Similar to ‘Perfecto Mundo Double Purple’, this white variety will bloom on and off from spring until the first frost hits. This variety is adorned with beautiful white double flowers, with a light green or yellow throat. The foliage is an attractive shiny green that will keep its color all year without any significant fall interest.

Try planting this double flowered azalea in containers. It is just tall enough to perform as a thriller in a mixed container or to serve as a stunning solo plant in a large container.

‘Raspberry Sundae’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet high, 3 feet wide
	hardiness zones 6-9

‘Raspberry Sundae’ is a beautiful pink, reblooming azalea. This variety of azalea will bloom in the spring, and again in the summertime. The flowers are a true raspberry pink, and are double providing plenty of pretty petals on your small shrub. ‘Raspberry Sundae’ is an evergreen shrub, and will maintain its green foliage all year long.

Use this azalea variety in containers or throughout your perennial beds for a nice pop of bright color.

‘Rosebud’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet high, 4 feet wide
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Rosebud’ is a stunning azalea that has a prolific bloom of pure pink flowers. These flowers are double, and when they are unfurling they look like true rosebuds. The foliage is evergreen and a matte shade of green.

‘Rosebud’ is known to be a slow grower. The good news here is that it stays very neat while it is growing and you will not need to do much pruning in terms of shaping. The bad news is you will have to wait for this beauty to grow to its fullest potential. These blossoms are worth the wait.