{"product_id":"northern-hi-lights-azalea","title":"Northern Hi-Lights Azalea","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Hardy U of M Azalea in Creamy White and Gold\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorthern Hi-Lights Azalea (\u003cem\u003eRhododendron\u003c\/em\u003e 'Northern Hi-Lights') is one of the most cold-hardy and mildew-resistant of the University of Minnesota Northern Lights azaleas — a deciduous shrub that blankets itself in fragrant, creamy-white flowers brushed with a sunny gold blotch in late spring. Tough, hardy to zone 3, and built for the Upper Midwest, it's a luminous spring performer for part-shade borders and woodland edges in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNorthern Hi-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 'Northern Hi-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\u003e4–5 ft. tall, 4–5 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\u003eFragrant creamy white with a gold blotch\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; also notably mildew-resistant\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\u003eCold-climate azalea color:\u003c\/strong\u003e A reliable azalea for Minnesota — the creamy-gold blooms light up part-shade borders and woodland edges. Space 4–5 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator and woodland gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fragrant 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 Northern Hi-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 Northern Hi-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. Northern Hi-Lights is among the hardiest and most mildew-resistant.\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 creamy-white, gold-blotched spring flowers are fragrant.\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\u003eLemon Lights Azalea (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e A yellow Northern Lights azalea from the same series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHaaga Rhododendron (Rhododendron):\u003c\/strong\u003e An ultra-hardy evergreen rhododendron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved companion for the acid-soil shade bed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54313043099953,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/northern-hi-lights-azalea.jpg?v=1779727885","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/northern-hi-lights-azalea","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}