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Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

April 7, 2022

Species Spotlight – Our Native Azaleas

Native azaleas are some of the most spectacular native plants, yet seldom seen in gardens.  Some sources say that these azaleas and their precursors have been around for 50 million years, slowly evolving and adapting to their local habitats.  It’s never too late to add one to your garden.

When planning for these shrubs, toss out your ‘standard’ azalea image of a low, mounding, evergreen foundation plant.   Native azaleas are flowering shrubs that can reach airy heights of 6’-8’.  They can be used in hedgerows or shrub borders, as the background to a perennial garden, or as a specimen plant.

Native azaleas are woodland plants, and do well in light or dappled shade, plentiful moisture with good drainage, and humus-rich acidic soil.  The swamp azalea can be planted in moist to wet areas, and tolerates extreme cold well.  Azaleas do not need pruning (except for broken branches) and are moderately slow growers.  Avoid clay soils for all but the swamp azalea.

Their blooms vary from whites to pinks to orange; some bloom early spring while others bloom in summer.  Some are quite fragrant.  Their flowers are tubular and showy with flaring petals and long stamens.   The native azaleas have exceptional fall color before their leaves drop for the winter.  Some bloom before the leaves re-emerge, and stand out brightly against the backdrop of a landscape slowly waking up from winter.

Plant several kinds of azaleas for a season long display of blooms and color through the fall.  Never collect plants from the wild.  Always buy nursery propagated plants.  

Please note we do not have all species at all times.   Start small for best success and adaptation to your soil.  We do NOT have R. vaseyi.

Sweet Azalea (R. arborescens):  Blooms white June into Early July.  Fragrant clove –like scent.  Fall color orange to crimson.

Flame azalea (R. calendulaceum):  No longer occurs naturally in PA.  Showy orange blooms, mid-May to late June.  Slow grower up to 8’
Pinxter bloom azalea (R. periclymenoides):  First to bloom of the native azaleas;  Fragrant and pink.  Still found naturally in most of state.  Fall color is glowing orange red to burgundy.

 

Rose-shell Azalea (R. prinophyllum): Blooms May, intensely fragrant pink with showy stamens.  Grows 4′-8′.
Coast azalea (R. atlanticum);   Endangered and now found in only a single county in PA.  Fragrant white flowers in mid May.  Grows 3’-5’.
Pinkshell azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi): Blooms late April to May. Best fall color of the natives–rich burgundy. Grows 5’– 6′.
Swamp Azalea (R. viscosum): Fragrant white blooms, mid-June to July. Grows to 5′; Bronze fall color. Tolerates extreme cold and moist to wet soil. Not drought tolerant.
P5030027 by Buddha Dog, on Flickr
Rhododendron flammeum, Oconee Azalea. One of the most heat tolerant of the native azaleas.  6 to 8 feet tall with 6 to 8 feet spread. Part or dappled shade preferable. Acidic, moist, rich (fertile), well-drained soils; woodland conditions ideal . Yellow-orange to scarlet-red flowers in spring.Photo Credit:   “P5030027” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Buddha Dog

 

 

Wild-Azalea-5 by homeredwardprice, on Flickr
Rhododendron canescens, or Mountain Azalea. 6 to 8 feet average (possible up to 15 feet), 6 to 12 feet wide. Part shade preferable; perfect for woodland edge. Acidic, rich (fertile),well-drained woodland soils ideal. Fragrant, tubular pink flowers in early spring. Photo Credit:  “Wild-Azalea-5” (CC BY 2.0) by homeredwardprice
Rhododendron prunifolium (Plumleaf Azalea) grows to 20 feet or more and prefers cool ravines anad creeksides. It’s fiery red blooms appear in July or later. Hardy from zones 6 to 9.

 

 

Article by Louise Schaefer / Plants

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A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
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