azalea
/əˈzeɪlɪə
/noun
A deciduous flowering shrub with clusters of brightly coloured, sometimes fragrant flowers. Azaleas are typically smaller than other rhododendrons and there are numerous cultivars.
- Genus Rhododendron, family Ericaceae.
- The spectacular spring flowers of azaleas and rhododendrons make them among the most popular garden shrubs.
- Flowers are blooming weeks earlier than usual with Castle Howard boasting daffodils, snowdrops, rhododendrons, azaleas and crocuses.
Origin
Mid 18th century: modern Latin, from Greek, feminine of azaleos 'dry', because the shrub flourishes in dry soil.