The 'Lights' series of azaleas brings the colors of the tropics to Minnesota's early spring landscape. The plants are world-renowned for varied colors and incredible flower bud hardiness - an achievement that initially took two decades. Although nearly commonplace in zone 4 landscapes today, the range of colors and flower forms in the 'Lights' azaleas were unknown even as recently as the mid-'80s when some of the richer yellow, orange, and multihued cultivars began to find their way into the landscape.
University of Minnesota Azalea Varieties
Apricot Surprise
- Light orange
- Fragrant flowers and late flowering
- 3-4' plant size
- Released in 1987
Candy Lights™
- Light pink
- Pale yellow streaks, very fragrant
- 5-6' plant size
- Released in 2001
Electric Lights™ Double Pink
- Light pink
- Double flowering and blooms for 7 weeks
- Buds hardy to -30°F
- 6' plant size
- Released in& 2015
Electric Lights™ Red
- Fiery red
- Blooms early and compact with shiny foliage
- Buds hardy to -30°F
- 4' plant size
- Released in 2015
Golden Lights
- Golden
- Fragrant with greater mildew resistance
- 4-6' plant size
- Released in 1986
Lemon Lights
- Lemon yellow
- Narrower, upright plant
- 4-5' plant size
- Released in 1996
Lilac Lights™
- Pinkish purple
- Darker speckles on upper lobes
- 3.5-5' plant size
- Released in 2001
Mandarin Lights
- Orange
- Extremely hardy
- 5-6.5' plant size
- Released in 1992
Northern Hi-Lights
- Creamy white
- Bright yellow upper petal
- 5-6' plant size
- Released in 1994
Northern Lights
- Pink
- Fragrant flowers, various shades of pink
- 4-7' plant size
- Released in 1978
Orchid Lights
- Orchid
- Earliest flowering of the 'Lights.'
- Extremely hardy, compact plant.
- 2-3' plant size
- Released in 1986
Rosy Lights
- Deep rosy pink
- Abundant blossoms
- Buds hardy to -45°F
- 4-5' plant size
- Released in 1984
Spicy Lights
- Salmon pink
- Large flowers and early flowering
- 5-6.5' plant size
- Released in 1987
Tri Lights™
- Soft pink
- Deep rose buds with yellow upper petal highlight.
- 5' plant size
- Released in 2000
White Lights
- White
- Abundant blossoms, with slight yellow highlight
- 5-6' plant size
- Released in 1984
Candy Lights™, Electric Lights™, Lilac Lights™ and Tri Lights™ are trademarks of the University of Minnesota.