{"product_id":"lemon-lights-azalea","title":"Lemon Lights Azalea","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Hardy U of M Azalea in Bright Lemon-Yellow\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Lights Azalea (\u003cem\u003eRhododendron\u003c\/em\u003e 'Lemon Lights') glows with bright, clear lemon-yellow flowers — part of the University of Minnesota Northern Lights series bred to make azaleas thrive in zone 3. Clusters of cheerful, lightly fragrant yellow blooms cover the shrub in late spring before the leaves fully expand, with good fall color to follow. A sunny, cold-hardy deciduous azalea for part-shade borders and woodland edges in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLemon Lights Azalea Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhododendron 'Lemon Lights' (Northern Lights series, U of M)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy; bred by the U of M for cold climates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade (afternoon shade ideal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright lemon-yellow, lightly fragrant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcidic, moist, well-drained, humus-rich — amend Minnesota clay with peat and compost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExceptionally hardy to zone 3 — bred for the Upper Midwest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMay be browsed — protect young plants where deer pressure is high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunny spring color:\u003c\/strong\u003e The clear yellow blooms brighten part-shade borders and pair beautifully with blues and whites. Space 4–5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator and woodland gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers feed early pollinators. Pair with rhododendrons, ferns, and hostas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into acidic, well-drained soil. Keep moist through establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Lemon Lights Azalea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAzaleas need acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Dig a wide hole and amend heavily with peat moss and compost; never plant in heavy, alkaline clay without amending. Set the crown slightly high (shallow-rooted), backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or pine needles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Lemon Lights Azalea\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days; shallow roots dry out fast. Ensure it goes into winter well-watered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain consistent moisture; it dislikes drying out or baking in hot sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can azaleas survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Northern Lights series can — bred by the University of Minnesota for cold climates and hardy to zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Why does soil matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAzaleas need acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Amend Minnesota's heavier soil with peat and compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it fragrant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the yellow spring flowers carry a light fragrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot reliably — deer may browse azaleas, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMandarin Lights Azalea (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e A vivid orange Northern Lights azalea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCandy Lights Azalea (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e A soft pink Northern Lights azalea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHaaga Rhododendron (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e An ultra-hardy evergreen rhododendron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Lemon Lights Azalea Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a border run or woodland-edge drift, use the body's own 4–5 foot spacing (plants knit at their 4–6 ft spread):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants at 4.5 ft spacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9–10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAzaleas read best in odd-numbered groups — a trio on 4-foot centers makes a single late-May cloud of yellow. A lone specimen wants a 5–6 foot circle near a path where the fragrance can be enjoyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLemon Lights Azalea Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e The headline act — clusters of clear lemon-yellow, lightly fragrant trumpets smother the bare branches in late spring, just before the leaves expand, feeding early bees and the first hummingbirds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy mound of clean green foliage; keep the shallow roots evenly moist and mulched through hot spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage warms to bronze, orange, and burgundy tones — a solid second season of color before leaf drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine bare twigs with fully hardy flower buds — U of M breeding means the show returns reliably even after a -30°F winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/mandarin-lights-azalea\"\u003eMandarin Lights Azalea\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pick: vivid orange sibling for a hot yellow-orange spring duet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/candy-lights-azalea\"\u003eCandy Lights Azalea\u003c\/a\u003e — soft pink Northern Lights sister to cool the combination down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/haaga-rhododendron\"\u003eHaaga Rhododendron\u003c\/a\u003e — ultra-hardy evergreen rhodo that gives the bed structure after the azaleas finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rosy-lights-azalea\"\u003eRosy Lights Azalea\u003c\/a\u003e — another zone-3 Northern Lights selection to stretch the bloom drift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Lemon Lights Azalea Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Lemon Lights where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade in acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soil — a woodland edge or east-facing border is perfect, and its U of M breeding laughs at zone 4 winters. Not a fit if your only spot is unamended alkaline clay along a limed foundation, a baking-dry south wall, or an unprotected bed in heavy deer country — deer will browse it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54313035825457,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/lemon-lights-azalea.jpg?v=1779727889","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/lemon-lights-azalea","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}