This native species is found in the wild in swamps, along the banks of watercourses, in cool mountain meadows, and upland mesic woods in some spots in New England, in Pennsylvania, in West Virginia, in Virginia, eastern Kentucky & Tennessee, central to western North Carolina, western South Carolina, and northern Georgia & Alabama. It does need protection from strong sun and winds and is sensitive to soil compaction, drought, and salt. It has funnel-shaped bell flowers about 1.5 to 2 inches long that are pure white or tinged with pink in June and very fragrant. It is sold by some large, diverse nurseries, native plant nurseries, and mail order nurseries. This handsome species that is not real flashy is not commonly planted, too bad. These deciduous azaleas are sort of expensive plants. Of course, like other azaleas, it does best in the East and is usually hard to grow in most of the Midwest.

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Sweet Azalea is named for its highly fragrant early summer flowers which are white to pale pink with red stamens. It is erect, loosely branched, and native to stream banks and swamp and bog edges of the southeast. As such, it prefers evenly moist acidic soil in sun to light shade. Sweet Azalea is tall and fast growing, and fall foliage color may be a good red. The plant is good for damp areas.

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