Question:
Which azaleas can be successfully grown in Iowa?Answer:
Azaleas in the Northern Lights Series possess excellent cold hardiness and perform well in Iowa. (The Northern Lights Series is a group of hybrid azaleas developed and released by the University of Minnesota. All cultivars in the series have flower bud hardiness of -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and the word “lights” in their name.) Available cultivars include Candy Lights™ (light pink flowers with pale yellow streaks), ‘Golden Lights’ (gold flowers), ‘Lemon Lights’ (light yellow flowers), ‘Mandarin Lights’ (mandarin orange flowers), ‘Northern Hi-Lights’ (creamy white flowers with yellow upper petal), ‘Orchid Lights’ (orchid flowers), ‘Rosy Lights’ (deep rose pink flowers), ‘Spicy Lights’ (salmon orange flowers), Tri Lights™ (soft pink flowers with white overtones and yellow blotch), and ‘White Lights’ (white flowers).