Native Azaleas Plant Profile

 

Native Azaleas Plant Profile

Native Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) are flowering shrubs that are found in the woodlands on the East Coast of the USA. They do best in light, dappled sunlight.

One of the most striking characteristics of native azaleas is their strong, sweet fragrance, which is often compared to that of honeysuckles. The flowers also resemble clusters of honeysuckle blossoms. Hence, the common name for native azaleas of Wild Honeysuckle.

Native azaleas are deciduous—dropping their leaves in the fall. While the Japanese and Korean azaleas are mainly evergreen as are most of their hybrids. Native azaleas prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soil that is high in organic matter.

The Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) or the Southern pinxter azalea is native from the Carolinas south to Florida and west to east Texas. The flowers are shades of white, pink, and red. It can grow to 10 feet wide and high and has an airy, open growing habit. It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9.

The Pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) is similar to the Piedmont azalea, but thrives in a more northern native range from Massachusetts to north Georgia and over to Tennessee. It is hardy to USDA zones 4-8 and grows to 5 feet tall and wide.

The Florida flame azalea (Rhododendron austrinum) is native to northern Florida and other far southern states. It grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and has yellow, orange, red, or pink blooms. It's hardy to USDA Zones 6 to 9.

The Alabama azalea (Rhododendron alabamense) is native to Alabama and Georgia. It grows 5 to 6 feet tall. It has blossoms that are white with yellow blotches. It is hardy to USDA Zones 7 to 9.

The Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens)  can grow to 10-20 feet tall. It is native to the Appalachians from Pennsylvania to Alabama, It has white blossoms with red stamens. It is hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 7.

Native birds (especially hummingbirds), bees, butterflies, and other wildlife are attracted to these shrubs and their amazing flowers.

Native Azaleas: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Cassie Peo

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Azaleas: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/05/plant-profile-azaleas.html

~ Aronia: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/05/aronia-chokeberry-plant-profile.html

~ Carolina Allspice: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/05/carolina-allspice-plant-profile.html

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