 Native Azaleas...
What is an Azalea?
An Azalea is defined as any of various shrubs of the genus
Rhododendron having showy, variously colored flowers. One
of the major differences between azaleas and the rest of the
rhododendron family is their size. Another is their flower growth.
Rhododendrons grow their flowers in clusters, while most azaleas
have terminal blooms (one flower per flower stem). However, they
have so many stems that during the flowering season they are a solid
mass of color. The exception to this rule is a small group of
azaleas which grow their flowers in tight terminal clusters that
look like little balls of color.
Native Azaleas
are among the most beautiful native flowering shrubs.
Gardeners enjoy these beautiful flowers and the delightful fragrance
they provide. Bloom times range from early Spring through
August. The flower colors range from white to many shades of
pink, red, yellow, orange and salmon. Native Azaleas are
deciduous shrubs, which means they lose their leaves during the
winter. Mature plants can range from two-foot tall spreading
shrubs to 20-foot tall tree like shrubs.
Native Azaleas
prefer cool, partially shaded sites with rich, moist woodland
soil. They can be planted at anytime of the year. When
choosing your location for a Native Azalea, morning sun and
afternoon shade tends to be the best. With proper site
selection and planting, you will be amazed at how beautiful Native
Azaleas can become.
North America has
16 native species of azaleas. They are native to the southeastern
United States, except for Rhododendron occidentale (Western
Azalea, native to northern CA, WA, OR) and Rhododendron canadense
(Rhodora, native from Canada south to Pa and NJ).
For a full
selection of Native Azaleas to enhance the beauty of your property,
visit us today at Little Cypress Natives.
Native Azaleas
Approximate Bloom Times:
Piedmont Azalea
Rhododendron canescens |
March 25-April 25, pink to white, most common species |
Florida Azalea
Rhododendron austrinum |
March 25-April 25,
yellow to orange, fragrant, native to GA, AL, FL |
Pinkshell Azalea
Rhododendron vaseyi |
April 5-22, pink to white, upper Piedmont & mountains [Ed. note:
3-4 weeks later in the mountains] |
Oconee Azalea
Rhododendron flammeum |
April 15-May 15,
orange to red, withstands heat, drought |
Alabama Azalea
Rhododendron alabamense |
April 22- May 15, white, blooms before leaves |
Coastal Azalea
Rhododendron atlanticum |
April 22-May 11,
white to pink, midlands-coast, spreads |
Pinxterbloom
Rhododendron periclymenoides |
April 22-May 16, pink to white, does well statewide |
Roseshell Azalea
Rhododendron prinophyllum |
May, suitable only
for high altitudes |
Swamp Azalea
Rhododendron viscosum |
May
16-June 16, white, fragrant, likes wet sites |
Flame Azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum |
May 28-June 25,
orange to red, Piedmont & mountains |
Cumberland Azalea
Rhododendron cumberlandense |
June-July, orange-red, upper Piedmont & mountains, cool |
Sweet Azalea
Rhododendron arborescens |
June 15-Aug 15,
white, fragrant, very smooth all over |
Plumleaf Azalea
Rhododendron prunifolium |
June 25-Sept. 10, red to orange, smooth foliage, Georgia native |
Hammocksweet
Azalea
Rhododendron viscosum var. serrulatum |
July 12-Aug 30,
white, fragrant, often forms colonies |
Click Here to
Download Our Complete Listing of Native Azaleas Available & Pricing
Some Examples of
the Native Azaleas we offer at Little Cypress Natives
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