8 Noteworthy Native Azaleas You Should Know – And Grow!

Flowering shrubs are an necessary factor in lots of landscapes, and azaleas are one of many high selections. Evergreen azaleas are extraordinarily standard panorama shrubs, particularly within the South. They maintain their leaves all yr lengthy, rising low and dense. However native azaleas have rising numbers of followers.

Like evergreens, native sorts of azaleas are within the genus Rhododendron. They’re tall, deciduous shrubs or small bushes with ethereal canopies. Their branches are lined with blooms – tubular flowers with lengthy stamens – from early spring by summer season.

In case you are considering of planting some native rhododendron species, we’ve acquired a brief checklist to your consideration. Listed below are 8 of our favourite native azaleas.

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Are Azaleas Native To North America?

Whereas evergreen azaleas and a few standard deciduous azaleas come from China, native azaleas hail from North America. What number of varieties are there? That relies on the botanist you ask, however there are possible greater than fifteen.

Like different azaleas, native azaleas are within the genus Rhododendron. You may inform whether or not a selected species within the backyard retailer is native by trying on the subgenus. They’re listed underneath the subgenus Azalea, the subgenus Pentanthera, or the subgenus Anthodendron.

Wonderful Native Azaleas

Right here’s our shortlist of eight terrific and standard native azaleas. In the event you reside within the native azalea vary, chances are you’ll be conversant in a number of of them.

1. Candy Azalea

Candy azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) is native to North America, largely discovered within the Appalachian Mountains or on foothills close to rivers and streams. The widespread identify might be because of the extraordinarily aromatic flowers that resemble little white stars with contrasting pink filaments. Candy azaleas develop to 10 ft (3.3m) tall and the branches fill with forest inexperienced leaves. These bushes want solar and moist soil.

When do candy azalea bloom? The flowering interval runs from Could to August. One native species widespread in central Alabama flowers in July or August.

2. Plumleaf Azalea

On the subject of native azaleas, Georgia has fairly just a few species. The plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is native to Georgia and Alabama, particularly widespread on the states’ widespread border. It’s an especially interesting and distinctive native shrub and a tall one, rising as much as 20 ft (6.3m).

This species is a late bloomer. You’ll see each leaves and blooms from July to September. The flowers don’t provide a perfume, however the coloration is enchanting, starting from orange crimson to deep-red. They seem after the leaves are totally opened.

3. Cumberland Azalea

You’ll see the Cumberland azalea listed as each Rhododendron cumberlandense and Rhododendron bakeri. Native to mountainous areas in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, the Cumberland azalea is a comparatively quick shrub, typically no taller than 5 ft (1.6m). Its blossoms appear like the flame selection, however within the darker shades of orange or crimson. They don’t carry a perfume. The bloom begins in Could or early June.

4. Flame Azalea

Those that adore native azaleas name the flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) the queen of all of them. This orange native azalea species affords orange or crimson flowers – the colour of flames! – and blooms in Could. You could find it rising wild in north Georgia and the Appalachian Mountains area.

The flame species can develop to fifteen ft (5m) tall. It’s a giant plant with giant flowers that begin to bloom in late Could to early June. The Cherokee Indians name this species the “Sky Paint Flower,” and it might be the brightest flowering shrub of all.

5. Alabama Azalea

In case you are on the lookout for white azalea flowers, don’t look past the Alabama azalea (Rhododendron alabamense). The shrub’s snow-white flowers seem in April or Could and have a lemony perfume. They develop in nature all through the state of Alabama, and the dimensions of the azalea ranges from 4 to 12 ft (1.3 – 4 m) tall.

This plant spreads simply and rapidly as a stoloniferous shrub, and you may see it within the wild protecting low hills. A number of the flowers are splotched with pink.

6. Coastal Azalea

After they gave Rhododendron atlanticum the widespread identify “Coastal azalea”, it’s the East Coast they’re referencing. This quick shrub grows wild from Delaware to Georgia. It’s fairly drought tolerant and presents white blossoms – typically tinged with pink – from April or Could. They’re extraordinarily aromatic and unfold simply.

Coastal azalea grows wild up and down the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to New Jersey. They’re stoloniferous shrubs that unfold remarkably rapidly and sometimes one plant can develop to cowl an enormous space.

7. Piedmont Azalea

What’s the primary native azalea to bloom? The Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) begins the present in lots of areas with the flowers opening in early spring from March to early April. The flowers are white or pale pink and really aromatic. These shrubs can high out at 15 ft (5m) and are among the many most generally distributed species within the Southeastern states.

The Piedmont azalea can also be referred to as the honeysuckle azalea. If you would like comfortable pink blossoms on a shrub that stays underneath 8 ft (2.6m) tall, think about ‘Camilla’s Blush,’ providing rounded groupings of sentimental pink blossoms. This species is without doubt one of the most ample of all native azaleas.

8. Florida Azalea

The Florida azalea bush (Rhododendron austrinum) is stuffed with yellow or pale orange flowers early in spring. They seem from late March to early April from Florida to Alabama to Mississippi. The shrub – additionally referred to as the Florida flame azalea – grows to fifteen ft (5m) tall. This magnificent species is extraordinarily showy. Though the flowers are often small and yellow, they are often fiery crimson and really aromatic.

Incessantly Requested Questions

Can native azaleas take full solar?

The solar necessities of native azaleas differ, however most desire cool, shaded websites within the panorama. Few can take full solar. Most desire dappled solar. The extra solar an azalea will get day-after-day, the extra water it’ll want.

The place is the perfect place to plant native azaleas?

Native azaleas look finest planted in pure areas, a ways from the home. They like moist, acidic woodland soil and filtered shade. A great location could be underneath pine bushes. If attainable, decide a website with morning solar and afternoon shade.

Are native azaleas exhausting to develop?

In the best website, in the best local weather, native azaleas develop quick and thrive.