Rhododendron atlanticum, commonly known as Coastal Azalea, is a deciduous shrub native to the coastal plain regions, including pine barrens, bogs, and savannahs in the Eastern United States. It typically grows to 50–150 cm (20–59 in) tall and can form dense thickets in the wild by spreading through underground stolons. The leaves are 3–5 cm long and 1–2 cm broad, bluish-green, and may be hairless or have scattered glandular hairs. The fragrant flowers, which bloom in late spring to early summer, are 3–4 cm long and usually white to pink, occasionally with a yellow tinge, and are produced in clusters of 4-10. The flowers are notably showy and attract a variety of pollinators.

Coastal Azalea is valued for its fragrant, showy flowers and its ability to form a dense ground cover, making it suitable for mass plantings in woodland gardens, naturalized areas, or as a border shrub. It thrives in part shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates if kept moist. It requires acidic, well-drained soils and benefits from a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to pests such as azalea lace bugs and diseases like root rot if drainage is poor. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant invasiveness, but it should be monitored to ensure it does not spread beyond desired areas in the garden.CC BY-SA 4.0