Azalea or Rhododendron?

Often confused, the two plants are actually closely related, with the azalea being part of the Rhododendron genus. It can be difficult to differentiate between the two although there are some general identifying traits:

Azalea:

• Generally a smaller shrub, 4-6 feet tall.
• Flowers are more funnel-shaped (as opposed to bell shaped)
• Flowers have fewer (5-6) stamen (the long parts that stick out of the centre of the flower)
• Thin, soft, sometimes hairy, leaves
• Many, small stems
• Most are deciduous (shed their leaves in the Autumn)

Rhododendron:

• Thick, leathery leaves
• Many stamen (often 10 or more)
• Flowers often clustered together in trusses
• Stout stems
• Usually evergreen

Are these photographs of Azaleas or Rhododendrons? I’ll let you decide.