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Alpine Azalea Wikimedia Commons
Ericaceae

Alpine Azalea

Kalmia procumbens

Perseverance against adversity.

Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Kalmia
Native to
Arctic regions, Northern Europe, Northern Asia, North America
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
subshrub
Height
0.1-0.3 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
acidic, well-drained, rocky
Water
moderate
Hardiness
1-5
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • It is one of the hardiest flowering plants on Earth, surviving temperatures down to -60°F in Arctic tundra.
  • Previously classified as Loiseleuria procumbens, it was moved into the Kalmia genus based on DNA analysis.
  • It grows only a few inches tall, hugging the ground to avoid fierce mountain and Arctic winds.
  • The plant can take over 10 years to reach maturity and begin flowering in its harsh natural habitat.
  • It is circumpolar in distribution, found in alpine and arctic zones across three continents.

Color meanings

0

perseverance

1

endurance

2

modesty

Uses

  • alpine rock gardens
  • ground cover
  • botanical study