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International Blooms

Collect official festival pins and support the NC Azalea Festival. Businesses can become Pin Pal
partners to show community support.

Azalea Varieties from Around the World

Kurume Azaleas

Kurume Azaleas

Kurume, Japan

Various

 

Small-leaved evergreen varieties prized for their abundant blooms and growth.

Satsuki Azaleas

Satsuki Azaleas

Pink, White, Red

Orange, Yellow, Red

 

Late-blooming varieties traditionally used in Japanese gardens and bonsai.

Belgian Indica

Belgian Indica

Red, Pink, White

Various

 

Large-flowered greenhouse varieties developed for indoor forcing.

Ghent Hybrids

Ghent Hybrids

Belgium

Yellow, Orange, Pink

 

Deciduous azaleas known for their fragrance and vibrant colors.

Mollis Azaleas

Mollis Azaleas

Netherlands

Orange, Yellow, Red

 

Hardy deciduous varieties with large, showy spring blooms.

Exbury Hybrids

Exbury Hybrids

England

Various

 

Deciduous azaleas bred at Exbury Gardens with exceptional color range.

International Partnerships

Wilmington has established sister city relationships and horticultural partnerships with
communities around the world that share our passion for azalea cultivation.

Container-1

Kurume, Japan

Established 1987

 

Sister city relationship celebrating shared azalea heritage.

Container (1)

Ghent, Belgium

Established 1995

 

Partnership focused on horticultural exchange and azalea cultivation.

Container (2)

Cornwall, England

Established 2003

 

Collaboration with historic gardens featuring rhododendron collections.

Azalea Heritage Around the world

While azaleas are native to several continents, their cultivation and hybridization has a rich international history. Japanese growers developed many compact evergreen varieties, while European breeders created the large-flowered deciduous types.

The NC Azalea Festival showcases this global heritage in our garden tours, featuring varieties from Asia, Europe, and North America, demonstrating how these beautiful plants have connected cultures across the world.