'Mt Saint Helens' is actually a deciduous azalea. I doubt it is grafted - to my knowledge, rhodies and their cousins are rarely ever grafted for commercial production. But many deciduous azaleas are complex hybrids and I'd guess sporting or reversion is not unheard of although I have never encountered it personally. That the vigorous new growth this season should have different looking bark is also not unheard of.

I'd be inclined to leave it be and see if it flowers next season or produces a more uniform type of growth. It certainly will not hurt the shrub to leave it in place for the time being.

btw, deciduous azaleas tend to prefer more sun than shade.

thank you, GG. when I planted all of my rhodies/azaleas I was still in the mindset of the southeast where shade is a must so I put most of them in too much shade. I have moved nearly all of them to new locations, but I have a Nova Zembla that just finished its seventh summer and has never bloomed, so I’m THAT special! it is healthy, though, and I’m assuming as it matures it will bloom like all of the other huge 15’ rhodies around it in more shade. I check it each fall and can see only leaf buds, so it’s not an issue of something happening to the buds, but I think it has some flower buds this fall. Fingers crossed.

I had no idea that type of bark was possible. I’ll update in the spring and see what comes out of this different branch.