bright orange orange azalea bush

The Cheerful Charm of Bright Orange Azalea Bushes

Azaleas are beloved ornamental shrubs that bring delightful pops of color to gardens and landscapes. While most azalea varieties produce flowers in shades of pink, purple red and white, bright orange azaleas offer a tropical flair. With its vibrant hue and profuse blooms, the bright orange azalea adds cheer and visual interest.

What is an Azalea Bush?

Azaleas are flowering woody shrubs in the genus Rhododendron. They are native to several regions around the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. There are over 10,000 azalea hybrids and cultivarsavailable. Azaleas are extremely popular ornamental plants, valued for their ability to produce an abundance of showy flowers in the spring.

Azaleas prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil and light to partial shade They thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9, depending on the variety Proper siting and care will reward you with years of springtime color. Azaleas bloom on old wood, so pruning should be done immediately after flowering.

Introducing the Bright Orange Azalea

While most azalea selections produce blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white, bright orange azaleas offer a warm, tropical look. The fiery flowers look positively radiant against the bush’s deep green foliage.

Bright orange azalea varieties include:

• Perfecto Mundo Orange Azalea – Introduced by Proven Winners ColorChoice, this compact reblooming azalea reaches 2.5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Abundant 2-inch bright orange blooms appear in spring and again in late summer through fall.

• Gibralter Azalea – A mid-sized deciduous azalea that grows 5-6 feet tall. Large, bright orange flowers with a lighter orange center appear in mid to late spring.

• Maple Lava Azalea – A small mound-shaped azalea that grows 3 feet tall and wide. The fiery reddish-orange blooms appear in mid to late spring.

• Orangeade Azalea – A compact deciduous azalea that blooms a vivid reddish-orange in mid spring. It matures at 3 feet tall and wide.

• Weston’s Pioneer Azalea – An upright deciduous shrub that grows 5-6 feet tall. Bright reddish-orange blooms cover the bush in mid spring.

The Perfecto Mundo Orange Azalea

One of the best bright orange azalea varieties is the Perfecto Mundo Orange azalea. This reblooming azalea variety was introduced by Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. It was bred by Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University.

Some key facts about Perfecto Mundo Orange azalea:

• Deciduous, compact, mound-shaped habit grows 2.5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide

• Fiery reddish-orange blooms appear abundantly in spring

• Reblooms from late summer into fall

• Does well in full sun to light shade

• Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil

• Deer and rabbit resistant

• USDA zones 6-9

The Perfecto Mundo Orange azalea offers multi-season beauty with lush green foliage that turns reddish-orange in fall. Abundant 2-inch wide flowers positively smother the plant in spring and again in late summer through fall. The rich orange blooms pop against the dark green leaves.

This compact, mounding shrub is ideal for planting in borders, rock gardens, or as part of an azalea collection. It also does well in containers. Perfecto Mundo Orange azalea is low maintenance and more heat and cold tolerant than other azalea varieties. Give it moist, acidic soil and light shade, especially in hot climates. Prune immediately after spring flowering.

Using Bright Orange Azaleas in the Landscape

The vibrant flowers of bright orange azaleas instantly catch the eye. Use them as focal points or accents in garden beds and borders. Bright orange azaleas look fantastic when massed together for maximum color impact. They also combine beautifully with other shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses.

Here are some tips for incorporating bright orange azaleas into your landscape:

• Use as a foundation planting along a house or structure. The fiery flowers will stand out against brick or siding.

• Plant in groups of 3, 5, or 7 for a bold color statement.

• Tuck them into mixed borders to provide pops of tropical color among cool-toned plants.

• Use as edging along pathways, patios, and decks.

• Plant in containers on a patio, balcony, or front porch.

• Include in a pollinator-friendly garden – azaleas attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

• Mass in a woodland garden combined with ferns, hostas, and other shade-lovers.

The Best Companion Plants for Orange Azaleas

Bright orange azaleas provide a striking color contrast when paired with plants in shades of purple, pink, white, silver, gray, and blue. Here are some top companion plants for orange azaleas:

• Purple flowering shrubs like lilac, beautyberry, or bluebeard
• Cool-toned perennials like salvia, lavender, catmint, coral bells
• Variegated or silver-leafed shrubs and perennials
• White flowering shrubs like deutzia, spirea, viburnum
• Blue flowering perennials and annuals like lobelia, ageratum, salvia
• Ferns, hostas, astilbe, and other shade plants
• Ornamental grasses like blue fescue, Maiden grass, pennisetum

Caring for Your Orange Azalea

Azaleas are relatively low maintenance when planted in the right environment. Here are some tips for caring for orange azaleas:

• Site in light to partial shade, especially in hot climates. Provide afternoon shade in zones 7-9.

• Plant in rich, acidic, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Incorporate peat moss or compost at planting.

• Water regularly, especially during summer dry spells. Soak the entire root zone.

• Apply an acidic fertilizer formulated for azaleas in early spring before flowering.

• Prune immediately after spring flowering to shape and remove spent blooms.

• Remove any dead or damaged growth as needed.

• Monitor for common azalea pests like lace bugs and scale. Treat quickly to avoid damage.

• Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to maintain soil moisture and temperature.

Grow Your Own Orange Azalea Collection

Azaleas are captivating four-season shrubs. Add fiery color from spring through fall by planting a collection of orange azaleas:

• Perfecto Mundo Orange – For prolific spring and fall blooms

• Gibralter – For very large spring flowers

• Maple Lava – For a compact plant with orange spring blooms

• Orangeade – For vivid reddish-orange spring color

• Weston’s Pioneer – For bright orange spring flowers on a larger plant

With their lush evergreen or deciduous foliage and abundant colorful blossoms, bright orange azaleas are sure to beautify your garden. A collection of varieties will provide interest across multiple seasons.