15 Dwarf Azalea Varieties for Compact 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 dwarf azaleas 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 variety produces a prolific bloom in spring, followed by additional blooms throughout summer and fall. It’s a fast-growing dwarf azalea with bright red double flowers. These glowing red blooms can reach up to 2½ 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 slower-growing shrubs to fill out your beds.

‘Autumn Chiffon®’

	plant type Evergreen Shrub
	bloom colors Pink
	height 3 feet tall, 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. These single blooms highlight the freckles beautifully. Blooming heavily in spring and then again in summer and fall, the blossoms can reach nearly 3 inches in diameter. The leaves are evergreen and maintain their dark, glossy green shade all year long.

‘Autumn Chiffon®’ would make a lovely low-growing hedge or border garden around a patio or walkway. It would also look beautiful 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 dwarf azaleas, ‘Autumn Majesty®’ is a reblooming variety that fills your garden with bountiful blooms all year long. This particular azalea features deep purple double flowers with red freckles throughout the petals. ‘Autumn Majesty’ is a compact, rounded shrub with glossy, deep green leaves.

Plant ‘Autumn Majesty®’ in a mass grouping for a beautiful display year-round. This variety would also look stunning in containers decorating your deck or patio.

‘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 bloom in bright pink, and the green leaves are edged in creamy white. The foliage is semi-evergreen, which means that in cooler climates, you’ll likely lose the leaves over winter. But don’t worry—these pretty leaves will come back strong next spring!

Plant ‘Bollywood®’ in containers or in areas where evergreen coverage during winter isn’t essential.

‘Cherry Drops’

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

This red azalea grows to about 3 feet in height and spreads slightly wider than it is tall. ‘Cherry Drops’ features cherry red, single flowers that appear in mid-spring. The evergreen foliage remains dark green and glossy all year long.

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

‘Coastal Azalea’

	plant type Deciduous Shrub
	bloom colors Blush
	height 6 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-tipped petals, which can reach up to 1½ inches in diameter. It is a deciduous azalea, meaning it will drop its leaves when temperatures begin to cool.

Rhododendron atlanticum is highly fragrant, so consider planting it in a grouping somewhere you’ll 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 lovely white-flowered azalea. ‘Delaware Valley White’ is adorned with crisp white blooms featuring yellow to light green freckles. The flowers can reach up to a whopping 4 inches in diameter. The small leaves on this dwarf 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. It also makes a great low-growing shrub 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 with white flowers edged in bright pink. The blooms resemble petunias and are quite charming, reaching up to 2½ inches across. The foliage is a bright green, and the evergreen leaves will keep your yard looking fresh year-round.

Try planting this variety in containers for a burst of beautiful spring color around your yard. ‘Geisha Girl’ would also look lovely at the back of a perennial garden, where it can offer cheerful spring blooms and a lush 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 number of flowers. The blooms on ‘Girard’s National Beauty’ are hot pink with frilly edges. These ruffled edges add to the appeal of the shrub, giving the appearance of double flowers. This variety is also known for its beauty even when not in bloom, thanks to its evergreen foliage.

This dwarf azalea would be beautiful in any woodland setting. Try planting some around the perimeter of your yard along 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’re looking for a blooming groundcover, give Kimono™ ‘Maraschino’ a try. This azalea will only reach about 20 inches in height but can spread up to three feet. The flowers are a reddish pink, creating a vibrant blanket of color throughout your garden. The evergreen leaves are a dark, glossy green for most of the year, turning a deep purple in the fall.

This would be a beautiful variety to plant beneath Japanese maples—the shades of red would complement each other beautifully.

Kimono™ ‘May Snow’

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

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

Plant this groundcover azalea among other evergreen shrubs or in darker, shady corners. The white flowers will help 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, blooming in spring and again in summer and fall. The double purple flowers are a rich, pure shade with pretty ruffled edges. The foliage is a glossy deep green that lasts throughout all seasons, even when the plant is not in bloom.

This would make a stunning statement plant near your front door, where the flowers won’t be missed. Unlike other dwarf azaleas that have bloom gaps, ‘Perfecto Mundo® Double Purple’ will flower for you throughout the year, keeping your yard vibrant and colorful.

‘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. It features beautiful white double flowers with a light green or yellow throat. The foliage is an attractive, shiny green that holds its color year-round, though it doesn’t offer significant fall interest.

Try planting this double-flowered azalea in containers. It’s 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 blooms in spring and again in summer. The flowers are a true raspberry pink and are double, providing plenty of pretty petals on this small shrub. ‘Raspberry Sundae’ is an evergreen, maintaining its green foliage year-round.

Use this dwarf azalea in containers or throughout your perennial beds for a vibrant pop of color.

‘Rosebud’

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

‘Rosebud’ is a stunning dwarf azalea with a prolific bloom of pure pink flowers. These double flowers resemble true rosebuds as they unfurl. The foliage is evergreen with a matte shade of green.

‘Rosebud’ is known to be a slow grower. The good news is that it stays very neat as it grows, requiring little pruning for shape. The downside is that you’ll need some patience while waiting for this beauty to reach its full potential—but the blossoms are well worth the wait.