Where do azaleas grow in the US?
Azaleas are native to several continents including Asia, Europe and North America. They are planted abundantly as ornamentals in the southeastern US, southern Asia, and parts of southwest Europe.
What city is known as the Azalea City?
Mobile, Alabama is also home to the Azalea Trail Maids, fifty women chosen to serve as ambassadors of the city while wearing antebellum dresses, who originally participated in a three-day festival, but now operate throughout the year. The Azalea Society of America designated Houston, Texas, an "azalea city".
What is an azalea?
Azaleas are a type of flowering bushy plant in the Rhododendron genus. Azalea shrubs can transform your garden with a sea of color when the plants bloom in the springtime.
Are there azaleas in Ravine Gardens State Park?
Today the vegetation in Ravine Gardens State Park is a mix of native species and ornamentals. The park grounds still preserve hundreds of the original azaleas planted by Forester and Gillespie. Surveys are currently being conducted to identify the different species that remain in the park. To date, up to 14 different varieties have been identified.
What state has most azaleas?
Springtime finds North Carolina in full bloom. Mountains to coast, in suburban yards and along remote trails, the azalea — perhaps more than any other native plant — brings Southern charm wherever it grows.
Where do azaleas grow in the US?
Evergreen and deciduous azaleas do well on the west coast from British Columbia to the Mexican border, along the Gulf Coast and throughout the southeastern U.S. and along the east coast up into the Boston area. Some deciduous azaleas are very cold hardy and some tolerate heat and humidity.
Where are azaleas originally from?
Azaleas and rhododendrons are native to Asia, Europe and North America and may be either deciduous or evergreen. All evergreen species originally came from Asia and generally tend to be hardy only to Zone 6. The deciduous species are native to this country and tend to be hardy to Zone 4.
Where is best for azaleas?
Although most will grow in open, sunny situations they prefer semi-shade and a cooler growing conditions. The light shade under birch trees or other trees with a light canopy is ideal, as long as the soil is not too dry. They are particularly useful in small, shaded gardens when grown in pots and containers.
Are azaleas native to the United States?
The majority of azaleas native to North America hail from the states running down the Appalachian mountain range; from Maine to Florida. All of the North American natives are deciduous, tend to have open, loosely branched habits, are known for their hardiness, and for their exquisite fall foliage.
What does the azalea flower symbolize?
Abundance – Azalea symbolizes abundance and makes an ideal gift for a person who wants to be successful. By giving this flower, you are telling the recipient you hope that good things may come their way.
Who brought azaleas to America?
These colorful plants originated in China and Japan, and made their way to the U.S. via England, France and Germany around the 1830s.
Are azaleas toxic?
All types and all parts of azalea bushes are considered poisonous. They contain toxins called grayanotoxins. Ingesting these toxins can include symptoms which may vary between humans and animals.
Is azalea poisonous to dogs?
#12 Azalea/Rhododendron These common flowering shrubs are poisonous plants for dogs and produce serious gastrointestinal issues. They can additionally cause weakness, discoordination, and weak heart rate. Potentially fatal.
What month do azaleas flower?
Azaleas are perennial flowering shrubs, bearing flowers from March to June (depending on the variety).
Are there blue azaleas?
One of the bluest evergreen azaleas is Blue Danube which is only hardy to -10F. One of the hardiest deciduous azaleas is R.
What is the largest azalea?
They can grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. Wondering how big do azaleas get? The Formosa and George Tabor are our largest at 6-8 feet tall while Red Ruffles stays dwarf and as a small rounded bush. The larger shrubs make great azalea hedges.
What zones do azaleas grow in?
In fact, most azaleas are hardy in zones 5 to 9, and since they can suffer from excessive heat, northern climates can be perfect for growing azaleas.
How far north will azaleas grow?
Most azaleas are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 to 9, though at least one species and its cultivars can survive as far north as zone 3.
Can azaleas grow in Texas?
Azaleas will do well in north or east exposures in Central Texas, where they are protected from the harsh afternoon sun. Dappled sun under trees with an hour or two of morning sun is also acceptable. Avoid more than four hours of morning sun, and preferably NO afternoon sun.
Can azaleas grow in Chicago?
Although all azaleas are members of the Rhododendron genus, the florist azaleas are particular hybrids well-suited as indoor plants since they are not hardy enough to withstand Chicago winters.
What is the largest collection of azaleas in the world?
At one point it was claimed that Ravine Gardens had the largest single collection of azaleas in the world. It is believed that the gardens in 1934 included 64 of the known 72 varieties with shades ranging from a pure white to a deep crimson. Today the vegetation in Ravine Gardens State Park is a mix of native species and ornamentals.
How many varieties of azaleas are there?
To date, up to fourteen different varieties have been identified. Large spans of unmanicured azaleas can be found spread along trails and ravine sides, creating a spectacular display of blooms each year.
Why did Gillespie choose Azaleas as the theme flower?
Azaleas were chosen as the theme flower of the gardens because of their brilliant beauty as they bloom during what was considered tourist season from December to May.
When do azaleas bloom in Florida?
When the area has a warm winter, the blooms can start as early as December. However, when the area has cold winter with several freezes, the blooms may not start until late February early March. Typically, February is the best time to see the azalea blooms. The blooms are what the park refers to as “rolling.”.
Do azaleas bloom at the same time?
The azaleas do not bloom all at the same time due to the different varieties that are found within the park. At the peak, about 60-70% of the plants bloom at the same time, with about 30-40% of the plants blooming before and after what is considered the “peak.”.
Is Ravine Gardens State Park a native plant?
Today the vegetation in Ravine Gardens State Park is a mix of native species and ornamentals. The park grounds still preserve hundreds of the original azaleas planted by Forester and Gillespie. Surveys are currently being conducted to identify the different species that remain in the park. To date, up to 14 different varieties have been identified. Large spans of unmanicured azaleas can be found spread along trails and ravine sides, creating a spectacular display of blooms each year.
Where did azaleas originate?
According to azalea historian Fred Galle, in the United States, Azalea indica (in this case, the group of plants called Southern indicas) was first introduced to the outdoor landscape in the 1830s at the rice plantation Magnolia-on-the-Ashley in Charleston, South Carolina. From Philadelphia, where they were grown only in greenhouses, John Grimke Drayton (Magnolia's owner) imported the plants for use in his estate garden. With encouragement from Charles Sprague Sargent from Harvard's Arnold Arboretum, Magnolia Gardens was opened to the public in 1871, following the American Civil War. Magnolia is one of the oldest public gardens in America. Since the late 19th century, in late March and early April, thousands visit to see the azaleas bloom in their full glory.
Where is the Azalea Festival held?
The Ma On Shan Azalea Festival is held in Ma On Shan, where six native species ( Rhododendron championae, Rhododendron farrerae, Rhododendron hongkongense, Rhododendron moulmainense, Rhododendron simiarum and Rhododendron simsii) are found in the area. The festival has been held since 2034; it includes activities such as exhibitions, photo contests and carnivals.
How many varieties of azaleas are there?
Plant enthusiasts have selectively bred azaleas for hundreds of years. This human selection has produced over 10,000 different cultivars which are propagated by cuttings. Azalea seeds can also be collected and germinated .
Where is the Sobaeksan azalea?
Sobaeksan, one of the 12 well-known Sobaek Mountains, lying on the border between Chungbuk Province and Gyeongbuk has a royal azalea ( Rhododendron schlippenbachii) festival held on May every year. Sobaeksan has an azalea colony dotted around Biro mountaintop, Gukmang and Yonwha early in May. When royal azaleas have turned pink in the end of May, it looks like Sobaeksan wears a pink Jeogori (Korean traditional jacket).
What is the meaning of azaleas in Chinese?
In Chinese culture, the azalea is known as "thinking of home bush" ( sixiang shu ), and is immortalized in the poetry of Du Fu .
Where is the Azalea Trail?
The Azalea Trail is a designated path, planted with azaleas in private gardens, through Mobile, Alabama. The Azalea Trail Run is an annual road running event held there in late March. Mobile, Alabama is also home to the Azalea Trail Maids, fifty women chosen to serve as ambassadors of the city while wearing antebellum dresses, who originally participated in a three-day festival, but now operate throughout the year.
When do azaleas bloom?
Azaleas bloom in the spring (May and June in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, and December and January in the Southern Hemisphere), their flowers often lasting several weeks. Shade tolerant, they prefer living near or under trees. They are part of the family Ericaceae .
Ravine Gardens State Park
Stroll along a winding walkway and enjoy a variety of azalea blooms at Ravine Gardens State Park. The park's two 120-feet deep ravines feature Whitewater Branch, a spring-fed creek that runs through their base. Their azalea bloom period runs from January to March each year.
The United States National Arboretum
Each year thousands of azaleas bloom along the banks of Mount Hamilton. The Glenn Dale Hillside is typically the area with the most blooms and variety of azaleas. The best way to see the azaleas is by walking on the trails that meander to the top of Mount Hamilton.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
The azalea collection at Norfolk Botanical Garden has 558 different species under the genus Rhododendron, commonly called azaleas, which makes it the largest collection at the garden.
Gibbs Gardens
At Gibbs Gardens, you'll see azaleas blooming beginning in April and until November. The garden has early, mid, and late-blooming Native azaleas that can be found throughout the garden's grounds. Swamp azaleas fill the garden's 70-acre native fernery in June along with several other azalea species throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Bellingrath Gardens' azalea collection sparked the beginning of Mobile, Alabama's famous Azalea Trail 89 years ago, and the blooms have been a part of the garden since its founding. Each March, guests can enjoy blooms from over 250,000 azaleas across the garden's grounds.
Where do azaleas grow?
Native to the south eastern coastal plains of the United States, Rhododendron atlanticum, commonly known as Coastal Azalea or Dwarf Azalea, is a delightfully fragrant, semi-dwarf, deciduous Azalea. Blooming before the leaves emerge in mid to late spring, its funnel-shaped, white flowers, up to 1.5 in. wide (3-4 cm), with elegantly protruding stamens, are often softly blushed with pink on the outside. They bloom in clusters of 3 to 13 and contrast beautifully with the deciduous foliage of elliptic, blue-green leaves. Attractive and tough, this low, spreading shrub has been used in Azalea breeding programs to obtain sweet-smelling deciduous Azaleas. The powerful musky fragrance of this Azalea makes it a valuable addition alongside walking paths.
What is the most fragrant azalea?
Rhododendron 'Fragrant Star'. Regarded as one of the most fragrant deciduous Azaleas, Rhododendron 'Fragrant Star' is a pretty addition to the mid spring garden with its masses of very strongly scented, funnel-shaped, pure white flowers, up to 1.5 in. wide (3-4 cm).
What is the color of golden light azaleas?
Fragrant and exceptionally cold hardy, Rhododendron 'Golden Lights' is a compact, deciduous Azalea that belongs to the Northern Lights Hybrid Series developed by the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Opening from red-orange buds in late spring to early summer, before the leaves unfurl, 'Golden Lights' bears abundant flat trusses of 10 luminous, funnel-shaped, golden or butter-yellow flowers with lovely salmon-pink to orange highlights. Each bloom in the truss is less than 2 in. (5cm), but they are so profuse that the trusses look enormous. The foliage of narrow, olive green leaves has the added advantage of greater resistance to mildew than some other hybrid azalea cultivars.
What are the best flowers to grow in spring?
Deciduous Azaleas, Evergreen Azaleas, Lepidote Rhododendrons, Elepidote Rhododendrons. Azaleas and Rhododendrons, with their magnificent flowers, are one of the best-loved sights of spring. Producing a blaze of color from early spring through the summer, and even into the fall, Azaleas and Rhododendrons are popular ornamental shrubs for gardens ...
When does April Rose bloom?
Slightly fragrant and exceptionally cold hardy, Rhododendron 'April Rose' is prized for its early spring blooms. This semi-dwarf evergreen shrub bears elegant, widely funnel-shaped, double, purplish-red flowers, up to 2 in. wide (5 cm), at the branch tips in early to mid spring. The foliage of elliptic, flat, deep green leaves warms up to reddish-bronze in fall. A very reliable performer, this Lepidote Rhododendron is tough and can withstand temperatures as low as -25ºF (-31ºC). It makes a lovely accent shrub that is pleasing to the eye.
Can azaleas grow in the Midwest?
Attractive landscape plants in cool and moist climates, many varieties cannot be successfully grown in the Midwest region because of their lack of cold hardiness. A small number, however, possesses excellent cold hardiness and grow well in the Midwest. The following is a list of Azaleas and Rhododendrons recognized as proven performers in ...
When do azaleas bloom in Maryland?
National Arboretum is an annual event in Washington). A suite of azalea varieties that rebloom in the fall, branded Encore Azaleas, brings spring in October, if you want it.
What do azaleas bring to the garden?
1 of 2 | Azaleas bring a burst of spring color to garden paths. (Getty Images)
When do Encore Azaleas rebloom?
Encore Azaleas, shown here in Autumn Ivory, rebloom in the fall. (Courtesy of Encore Azalea) Most are container grown and can be planted in all but the hottest and coldest months. Take care to set the shrub at the same soil level as the container.
Do azaleas have pink blossoms?
Some wild types of deciduous azalea have perfectly demure pink blossoms. Closely related to rhododendrons (and botanically in the same genus), azaleas will grow in less than ideal conditions but are their healthiest and happiest in their preferred environment.
Do azaleas like deer?
But set as a feature along a woodland path, the azalea can be a joyful expression of the spring garden. They are not resistant to deer. Azaleas do best in areas of partial shade — in locations that are neither too shaded nor exposed to hot afternoon sunlight.
Can azaleas be used as foundations?
Because of their potential for strong and clashing colors, including reds, magentas and rose-pink, they need to be used with care, in their placement and quantity. One problem with their use as foundation plants is their color tussle with the hues found in red brick. But set as a feature along a woodland path, the azalea can be a joyful expression of the spring garden. They are not resistant to deer.
What is the pH of azaleas?from thespruce.com
Azaleas are ericaceous plants, which means they thrive in acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. This is one advantage of growing azalea in planters, as you can easily control the quality of the growing medium. Look for a potting soil mixed specifically for acid-loving plants, or create your own by mixing half potting soil ...
What diseases do azaleas have?from gardeningknowhow.com
Petal blight, leaf spots, and root rot are common diseases associated with these deciduous shrubs. Placing azaleas in areas with good drainage and conserving water by applying mulch usually helps reduce the chances of plant damage due to these problems.
What type of soil do azaleas need?from gardeningknowhow.com
Best Soil for Azalea Plants. Azaleas have shallow roots and require well-drained, acidic soil. In poorly drained areas, azaleas should be placed in raised beds. Azaleas can also make exceptional candidates for containers. It also helps to amend the soil with compost beforehand.
What color is the azalea shrub?from thespruce.com
Plus, the shrub’s dark green foliage turns orange-red in the fall. This slow-grower tends to extend wider than it is tall. Like most types of azaleas, it prefers rich, acidic, evenly moist soil with good drainage. A layer of mulch is helpful to protect its shallow root system. Native Area: Southern and central Korea.
When does snow azalea bloom?from thespruce.com
Sergejs Kartasovs / Getty Images. The 'Snow' azalea hybrid produces trumpet-shaped clusters of white blooms in the spring that pop against a backdrop of green leaves, and the foliage remains deep green through the winter. The shrub has a slow growth rate and typically doesn’t require much pruning.
Is Korean azalea a hybrid?from thespruce.com
Korean Azalea (Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense) The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova. The Korean azalea is a naturally occurring species rather than a nursery hybrid. Because it blooms before the foliage has fully emerged, you get a showy display of fragrant, rose-colored flowers in the early spring.
Do you need to prune azaleas after they bloom?from thespruce.com
The shrub has a slow growth rate and typically doesn’t require much pruning. If you need to prune to shape the plant or remove dead portions, do so right after it’s done flowering. This type of azalea is very particular about its planting site and must have soil that’s rich, acidic, evenly moist, and well-draining.
What is the botanical name of an azalea?
The botanical names of azaleas often include ‘ rhododendron’ in the name. For example, one of the azaleas that belong to the Encore Azalea Series has the botanical name Rhododendron ‘Autumn Chiffon’. So, while all azaleas are a subspecies of rhododendrons , not all rhododendrons are azaleas.
Where do white azaleas come from?
Native to the Western US, cultivars of this white azalea shrub produce some striking blooms. Some cultivar flowers have pure white flowers with ‘jagged’ edges, some have white flowers with pale yellow coloring, and others have white and pink flowers.
How tall does an azalea grow?
The ‘Autumn Chiffon’ azalea produces elegant white and pink blooms that contrast with the dark green leaves. The large flowers grow up to 2.75” (8 cm) across and are pale pink with dark pink centers. Similar to other ‘Encore’ azaleas, this azalea type doesn’t grow taller than 3 ft. (90 cm) and is a dense evergreen plant.
What is the name of the evergreen azalea in the Encore series?
Another evergreen azalea in the Encore Series is the ‘Autumn Sunburst.’ This beautiful shrub produces showy, semi-double flowers in the spring. The large blooms are in coral-pink with white ruffled edges. As with all Encore Series Azaleas, they bloom sporadically from spring until the first frost.
What is the best evergreen shrub to plant in the spring?
Planting evergreen azalea shrubs in your garden can provide greenery all year long. In springtime, the azalea plants transform your garden with their beautiful brightly colored flowers. Some of the most popular species of evergreen azaleas are the ‘Encore’ and Formosa varieties.
How many varieties of azaleas are there?
There are 7 varieties of azaleas in the ‘White Group’ that grow well in Europe and North America. The 7 species are: R. alabamense, R. arborescens, R. atlanticum, R. viscosum, R. eastmanii, R. colemanii and R. occidentale. Let’s look at a couple of stunning examples of azalea bushes that belong to the ‘white group’:
How big does a Formosa Azalea grow?
These types of flowers have a papery, ruffled look and are in the shape of a trumpet. The Azalea indica ‘Formosa’ grows to between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) and keeps its leaves all year long.
Overview
Azalea festivals
Motoyama, Kōchi also has a flower festival in which the blooming of Tsutsuji is celebrated and Tatebayashi, Gunma is famous for its Azalea Hill Park, Tsutsuji-ga-oka. Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo, Tokyo, holds a Tsutsuji Matsuri from early April until early May. Higashi Village has hosted an azalea festival each year since 1976. The village's 50,000 azalea plants draw an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 visitors each year.
Cultivation
Plant enthusiasts have selectively bred azaleas for hundreds of years. This human selection has produced over 10,000 different cultivars which are propagated by cuttings. Azalea seeds can also be collected and germinated.
Azaleas are generally slow-growing and do best in well-drained acidic soil (4.5–6.0 pH). Fertilizer needs are low. Some species need regular pruning.
Disease
Azalea leafy gall can be particularly destructive to azalea leaves during the early spring. Hand picking infected leaves is the recommended method of control.
They can also be subject to Phytophthora root rot in moist, hot conditions.
Azaleas share the economically important disease Phytophthora cinnamomi with more than 3000 other plants.
Pests
Azaleas share the Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) with many other heath species. Shrewsbury & Raupp 2000 find azaleas can be protected from them by companion planting with an overstory above them.
Cultural significance and symbolism
In Chinese culture, the azalea is known as "thinking of home bush" (sixiang shu), and is immortalized in the poetry of Du Fu.
The azalea is also one of the symbols of the city of São Paulo, Brazil.
Azaleas and rhododendrons were once so infamous for their toxicity that to receive a bouquet of their flowers in a black vase was a well-known death threat.
Toxicity
In addition to being renowned for its beauty, the azalea is also highly toxic—it contains andromedotoxins in both its leaves and nectar, including honey from the nectar. Bees are deliberately fed on Azalea/Rhododendron nectar in some parts of Turkey, producing a mind-altering, potentially medicinal, and occasionally lethal honey known as "mad honey".
See also
• List of Award of Garden Merit rhododendrons
• List of plants poisonous to equines