Azalea atlanticum
Coastal azalea
 
Not quite native to New England but 
 
Coastal azalea brings a soft, airy presence to the garden, especially in sandy or coastal-influenced soils where it feels right at home. In late spring, pale pink, lightly fragrant flowers appear just as the season hits its stride. This low-growing azalea thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and works equally well tucked into a woodland edge or planted where conditions are lean and challenging.
 
Beyond its gentle beauty, coastal azalea supports native pollinators, including specialist bees. Its modest size and adaptability make it a wonderful shrub for naturalistic plantings where subtlety, resilience, and ecological value matter more than flash.
 
It is also a host plant for butterflies like the brown elfin (Callophrys augustinus). Birds utilize the dense foliage for shelter and nesting.
 
photo credit to David Stang