Azalea ‘Pink Lace’—a heat-tough evergreen azalea for luminous spring color
Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ makes spring feel generous. This evergreen shrub throws masses of soft, speckled pink blooms, then settles into a neat mound of deep green leaves that hold their color all year. Gardeners list it as Pink Lace Azalea, Rhododendron ‘Pink Lace’, and Southern Indica Azalea ‘Pink Lace’. Whatever you call it, this selection brings reliable flower power, strong heat tolerance, and a clean, rounded habit that suits courtyards, front borders, and pine-shade gardens across warm regions.
Every Azalea belongs to the genus Rhododendron in the heath family, Ericaceae. That family includes blueberries and heathers, plants that thrive in acidic, humus-rich soils. ‘Pink Lace’ follows the rule: it roots shallowly, drinks steadily, and rewards you when you keep the soil cool and slightly sour. The cultivar traces to breeder Guttormsen and was registered in 1966. Reported lineage pairs Rhododendron ‘Helen Close’ with ‘Purple Splendor’, two evergreen parents that pass on vigor, warmth tolerance, and a taste for filtered light.
Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ flowers and foliage
The flowers read as soft, luminous pink at a glance. Step closer and you see the finer work: funnel-shaped blooms about 7–8 cm (2¾–3 in) across, with deeper pink freckles and throat markings. Many flowers carry a faint, sweet fragrance on mild days. Buds open a touch deeper, then fade to pale pink as the display reaches its peak, so you get a layered look across the shrub. Flowering begins early to mid-spring, often overlapping with late camellias and the first flush of roses in warm gardens.
Leaves frame the show and stick around after it ends. ‘Pink Lace’ holds matte, deep-green foliage with a leathery feel. Each leaf spans roughly 4–6 cm (1½–2⅜ in) and sits densely along the shoots, so the plant reads tidy even out of bloom. Because the shrub is evergreen, it offers year-round structure for foundation beds and shaded entries.
Growth habit and size
Expect a rounded, naturally compact shrub that matures to 0.9–1.5 m tall and wide (3–5 ft × 3–5 ft). Growth rate sits in the moderate lane. You won’t fight legginess if you plant it with good light and prune at the right time. In mass plantings, spacing at 90–120 cm (36–48 in) on center allows mounds to knit without crowding.
Why choose Azalea ‘Pink Lace’
You want an evergreen azalea that doesn’t sulk in heat, and weeks of color without complicated feeding schedules. You also want a shrub that plays well with pine mulch, brick stoops, and dappled shade. ‘Pink Lace’ checks those boxes. It tolerates humidity, keeps leaves glossy, and blooms early enough to kick off spring but not so early that a light cold snap steals the show.
Where Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ shines in the landscape
Place it at the front of mixed borders under high pine canopies. Anchor a foundation bed with three mounded shrubs and underplant with ferns and hellebores. In narrow side gardens, line a path with a drift of five and let the mounds guide you to a patio. For containers, set a single plant in a 40–45 cm (16–18 in) pot on a shaded terrace and pair it with trailing ivy or heuchera. The flowers draw butterflies, while the evergreen leaves give winter structure near steps and doors.
Climate and tolerances for Azalea ‘Pink Lace’
‘Pink Lace’ thrives in warm, humid regions and shows best performance in USDA Zones 8–10 (pushing to 11 in frost-free coastal sites). In bright, wind-sheltered Zone 7 pockets, it can succeed with extra winter mulch and protection from north winds. It handles coastal air better than many azaleas when soils drain well, though it does not enjoy salt spray. Heat tolerance is a hallmark; give afternoon shade in very hot interiors to keep blooms fresh. Drought tolerance is only moderate because of the shallow root system—mulch and deep drinks keep it steady through summer.
How to Grow Azalea ‘Pink Lace’
Light
Give morning sun and afternoon shade, or bright dappled light all day. Aim for 4–6 hours of direct morning sun in Zones 8–10. In mild coastal climates, it tolerates more sun if you keep roots cool with mulch and steady moisture. In deep shade, you’ll see fewer flowers and looser growth.
Soil
Plant it in acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A pH of 4.5–6.0 suits it. Blend 5–8 cm (2–3 in) of composted pine bark or leaf mold into the top 20–25 cm (8–10 in) of soil across the entire planting area. Avoid fresh manure and lime. In sticky clay, build a low berm or raised bed 15–20 cm (6–8 in) high with a mix of native soil, pine fines, and coarse sand to improve drainage.
Planting
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper. Set the crown so the top of the root ball sits 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in) above grade to allow settling. If roots circle the pot, tease them loose and make three or four shallow vertical slices around the outer mat with a clean knife. Backfill with your amended native soil, firm gently, and water to settle. Finish with mulch.
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist, never soggy. In the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week depending on heat and rainfall—about 10–15 L (2½–4 gal) per plant each time. After establishment, water when the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil feels dry. A slow soak with a soaker hose delivers water to the entire root zone. Morning irrigation helps leaves dry quickly if they get splashed.
Mulching
Lay 5–7 cm (2–3 in) of pine needles, shredded bark, or leaf mold across the root zone. Keep mulch 5–8 cm (2–3 in) off the trunk to prevent rot. Mulch maintains acidity, cools roots, suppresses weeds, and reduces watering needs.
Fertilizing
Feed lightly and only when growth signals a need. In early spring, top-dress with 1–2 L (1–2 qt) of compost per plant. If leaves pale or growth slows, apply a slow-release, acid-form fertilizer labeled for azaleas at label rates. Water well after feeding. Stop fertilizing by midsummer so new shoots harden before winter.
Pruning
Prune right after bloom. Azaleas set next spring’s buds in summer, so timing matters. First remove dead, damaged, or crossing twigs back to a lateral branch. Then lightly shape the shrub by shortening overlong shoots by one-third. For older, open plants, renew by thinning one or two of the oldest stems to the base right after flowering. Avoid shearing into a hard ball; you’ll lose the natural, layered form.
Container growing
Choose a pot 40–45 cm (16–18 in) across with large drainage holes. Use a bark-based, peat-light, acid-leaning potting mix. Set the root ball slightly high and mulch the surface. Water whenever the top 3 cm (1¼ in) dries—containers heat up and dry faster than beds. Feed lightly in spring with a low-rate, slow-release fertilizer. In cold snaps below –9 °C (15 °F), move the container against a wall and wrap the pot to protect roots.
Winter care
In Zones 8–10, winter care is simple: keep mulch fresh and water during dry spells. In exposed Zone 7 sites, add 5–8 cm (2–3 in) of extra mulch after the ground cools, then pull it back in spring. If you expect drying winds, erect a burlap screen on stakes to break the wind without trapping moisture.
Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ in numbers
- Mature size: 0.9–1.5 m × 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft × 3–5 ft)
- Flower size: 7–8 cm (2¾–3 in) across
- Bloom season: Early to mid-spring; duration 2–4 weeks depending on weather
- Spacing: 90–120 cm (36–48 in) on center in borders; 60–75 cm (24–30 in) for a tight hedge
- pH target: 4.5–6.0
- Mulch depth: 5–7 cm (2–3 in)
Design companions that flatter Azalea ‘Pink Lace’
Pair ‘Pink Lace’ with plants that enjoy the same acidic, humus-rich conditions. Early bulbs—snowflakes and species tulips—pop through pine needles before the azalea peaks. Underplant with evergreen ferns, epimedium, or heuchera to stitch the bed together after bloom. For layered spring color, back it with Camellia sasanqua selections that flower in autumn and carry glossy leaves all winter. In sunnier edges, weave in Ilex (holly) and Pieris for evergreen height and spring bud interest. Keep roots cool with a living mulch of mondo grass along the drip line.
Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ for hedges and massing
For a low, informal hedge beside a driveway or path, plant on 75–90 cm (30–36 in) centers and lightly tip-prune after bloom in the first two seasons to nudge branching. For a mass on a slope, stagger plants in a triangle grid at 1.2 m (4 ft) spacing so mounds meet without smothering each other. Run dripline tubing across the rows to water evenly and reduce leaf splash.
Propagation of Azalea ‘Pink Lace’
Nurseries maintain cultivar traits by cuttings. If you propagate at home, take semi-ripe cuttings 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long in midsummer from non-flowering shoots. Strip the lower leaves, wound the base lightly, and dip in a rooting hormone suited to semi-hardwood. Set the cuttings into a sterile, coarse mix of 1:1 perlite and peat or fine bark, then keep them in bright shade with steady humidity. Rooting can take 6–10 weeks at 21–24 °C (70–75 °F). Transplant to small pots and harden off in dappled light. Observe any patent or propagation restrictions that may apply in your region.
Pests & diseases: keep Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ healthy
Most problems fade when you nail the basics: acid soil, drainage, morning sun, mulch, and deep watering. Still, watch for these:
Azalea lace bug. Look for pale stippling on the upper leaf surface and dark tar spots beneath. Encourage predators by planting diverse groundcovers and limiting broad-spectrum sprays. Rinse undersides with a firm water jet. If pressure builds, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil as labeled, targeting nymphs in spring and late summer.
Spider mites. Hot, dry spells can invite mites. Leaves show fine speckling and webbing. Increase humidity with morning hose rinses and improve airflow. Use a labeled miticide if needed.
Aphids. Tender spring tips may host clusters. A strong spray of water knocks most off. Beneficial insects usually follow.
Root issues. Phytophthora root rot strikes in wet, heavy soils. Symptoms include wilting despite moist ground and bronzed leaves. Improve drainage, raise the planting area, and avoid overwatering. Remove and bin severely affected plants and replant only after correcting soil conditions.
Leaf diseases. Petal blight and leaf spot can appear in humid, still weather. Good spacing, early watering, and prompt cleanup of spent flowers keep disease in check. If blotches spread in a wet season, a labeled fungicide may help; always follow local guidance.
Nutrient yellowing. Interveinal chlorosis on new leaves often signals high pH or iron unavailability. Top-dress with acidic organic matter and check irrigation water; hard water can lift pH over time. Use chelated iron as a short-term fix while you adjust soil.
Seasonal care calendar
Late winter (February): Check mulch depth. Water in dry spells if the soil isn’t frozen. Inspect for lace bug eggs and plan spring monitoring.
Early spring (March): Top-dress with compost. Refresh mulch. Water if rainfall is scarce. Do not feed heavily before bloom.
Spring bloom (April): Enjoy the show. As petals fall, prune lightly to shape and thin. Water deeply if dry winds arrive.
Early summer (May–June): Watch for lace bug nymphs and aphids. Water as temperatures climb. Avoid heavy fertilizing now; light applications only if leaves pale.
High summer (July–August): Maintain even moisture with soaker hoses. Keep mulch fluffed. Provide light shade in heatwaves. Do not prune hard—buds for next spring form now.
Autumn (September–October): Rake and remove spent flowers or diseased leaves. Water deeply before winter if rainfall lags. In Zone 7, add a little extra mulch after the soil cools.
Winter (November–January): In exposed sites, erect burlap windbreaks. Check containers after freezes and water sparingly during dry thaws.
Troubleshooting guide
- Few flowers: Increase morning sun; avoid late summer pruning; feed lightly in spring; keep soil pH in the 4.5–6.0 range.
- Leaves yellow with green veins: Check pH and irrigation water; add acidic organic matter; apply chelated iron as a stopgap.
- Browning leaf tips: Often drought or fertilizer burn. Deep-water and flush the root zone. Pull mulch back from the stem.
- Plant wilts yet soil feels wet: Investigate drainage; lift the root ball slightly by adding soil under the mound; reduce watering frequency.
Buying and planting tips
Select bushy plants with multiple breaks low on the stem and dense leaf cover. Avoid root-bound specimens with thickly circling roots. If you buy in bloom, match flower color on the exact plant you want; shades can vary between batches. Plant as soon as possible, and if the season runs hot, stage the plant in bright shade for a week while you keep the root ball evenly moist. Then move it to its forever spot and plant it slightly high.
Azalea ‘Pink Lace’—the takeaways
Choose Azalea ‘Pink Lace’ when you want evergreen structure and a long spring bloom without fussy care. Plant it in acidic, well-drained soil. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade. Mulch it, water it deeply, and prune right after flowering. With those simple moves, you’ll enjoy a rounded mound of glossy leaves and a spring cover of speckled pink blossoms that light up the garden year after year.
