Azalea Exbury NL-Mandarin Lights

NL-Mandarin Lights Exbury Azalea

Azalea Exbury ‘NL-Mandarin Lights’ is a cold-hardy deciduous azalea from the Northern Lights series, prized for its vivid orange blooms and reliable spring performance. Blooming in mid spring, the large, lightly fragrant flowers open in bright mandarin-orange tones with subtle golden highlights, delivering bold, high-visibility color in the landscape.

The shrub forms a sturdy, upright to rounded habit with medium green deciduous foliage, making it a strong choice for northern gardens, woodland settings, and mixed shrub borders.

Key features
Width: 4–6 ft
Height: 5–7 ft
Flower color: Bright mandarin orange with golden highlights
Bloom time: Mid spring
Foliage: Medium green, deciduous
Form: Upright to rounded shrub
Life cycle: Deciduous shrub

Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun to part shade (afternoon shade beneficial in warmer areas)
Soil: Acidic, moist, well-drained; rich in organic matter
Water: Moderate; prefers evenly moist soil
Hardiness:



Zone Low: 4a



Zone High: 7b



Landscape use
Cold-climate woodland gardens
Mixed shrub borders
Spring specimen plantings
Mass plantings for bold seasonal color

Notes
Exceptional cold hardiness for northern landscapes
Intense orange flowers pair well with yellows, whites, and softer pastels
Mulch to protect shallow roots and maintain even moisture
Prune immediately after flowering if shaping is needed
Reliable Northern Lights selection with strong color saturation

Plant type

Deciduous Shrub, Flowering Shrub

Height

5-7'

Width

4-6'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Late Spring, Spring

Flower color

Orange

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Red

Attracts

Bees butterflies birds, Hummingbirds

Soil

Acidic, Loamy well-drained, Sandy well-drained

Landscape use

Container, Specimen

Shape

Broad Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No