Pink azalea, also known as pinxter flower, is a slow-growing deciduous shrub that produces delicate pink to white, funnel-shaped flowers with a light fragrance.  Blooming from April through May, these showy blossoms appear just before the leaves emerge and grow in clusters of 6-12 flowers. Each  flower measures about 1½ inches wide and has five long curved stamens. The stamens are two inches long and protrude well beyond the pubescent flower tube. Bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar and fragrance making the shrub a valuable resource for pollinators.

The simple, alternate leaves are bright green, oval to elliptic in shape, and measure 2 to 4 inches in length. They have a smooth texture with a subtle leathery feel and transition to a dull yellow in autumn before shedding.

Pink azalea closely resembles its relative, early azalea (R. prinophyllum), but lacks the characteristic wooliness found on the buds, twigs, and undersides of its leaves. Both species are valued in the horticultural trade, tough early azalea tends to be the more popular choice. The plant can be propagated from seed or cuttings, though cuttings may require careful handling for successful rooting.

Pink azalea is native to the eastern United States, growing from 3 to 9 feet with a spread of 3-7 feet making it a natural cover for small mammals and a nesting site for birds. Found in moist forests, swamps and stream banks, it prefers dappled shade and acidic, well-drained soils though it can tolerate dry, sandy, or rocky soils. Root rot and powdery mildew can be a problem as can insects such as aphids, borers, and lace bugs. All parts of this plant contain grayanotoxins, making it poisonous to dogs, cats, horses and humans.