Likely one of the many evergreen azalea cultivars that is really semi-evergreen.

Worthwhile,

Yeah, that's how they are up here. Just make sure they stay well-hydrated right up until the ground freezes, and they should be fine come spring. There are some folks here in Ann Arbor with large, handsome 'Cascades' that bloom beautifully, and have obviously survived here for many years.

Among the "evergreen" azaleas, I have 'Stewartstonian', 'Karens', 'Herbert', 'Rosebud', 'Kimberly's Double Pink, R. yedoense poukhanense 'Alba', and 'Girard's Pleasant White'. All but the last lose nearly all their leaves, but come back well in the spring. Interestingly, the Girard keeps more leaves, but a large percentage of the buds get blasted by the cold. A pity, since that variety has large, beautiful flowers.

A.J.

Evergreen azaleas actually produce two flushes of leaves. They appear to be evergreen because they grow two sets of leaves each year. Evergreen azaleas have dimorphic leaves, known as spring and summer leaves. The spring leaves unfold at the beginning of the growing season and are dropped in autumn. Summer leaves emerge in early summer and are smaller, thicker, darker, and more leathery than spring leaves. They remain on the plant during the dormant period and drop in the spring, however, summer leaves may persist for several years in warm climates. Some "evergreen" azaleas are deciduous in colder climates. Sometimes this is called being semievergreen.