Rhododendron viscosum aka Clammy Azalea

Rhododendron viscosum, commonly known as the swamp azalea, clammy azalea, or swamp honeysuckle, is a flowering plant belonging to the heath family Ericaceae. This deciduous shrub is native to the eastern United States and can reach a height and width of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). It features rounded matt green leaves and in early summer, it produces fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers with a pink flush. These flowers are notable for their prominent stamens. Cultivated in the UK, Rhododendron viscosum has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's prestigious Award of Garden Merit. While it can withstand temperatures as low as -20 °C (-4 °F), it prefers a sheltered spot with dappled shade and acid soil enriched with leaf mold, which is typical for most rhododendron species. This bushy deciduous shrub has dark leaves with a glaucous underside. Its narrowly funnel-shaped white flowers, measuring up to 4cm wide, open in early to mid-summer and exhibit a deep pink hue on the tube. Notably, Rhododendron viscosum serves as a habitat for the specialized bee Andrena cornelli and is also tolerant of rabbit damage.