Plant Profile: Native Azaleas

By Craig Huegel

Reprinted from The Understory, Feb.–Mar. 1998

Every winter about this time, I begin to look past the generally drab landscape of the present to the spring color that lies ahead. I suspect that I am like most northern transplants: I relish my spring flowers. I realize that Florida produces its best color in the fall, yet there is something special about those plants that provide their show after the winter doldrums. Azaleas are one of the best here in the south. Look at any gardening magazine. It is virtually impossible to find a photo that doesn't include a mass planting of azaleas. The only problem, in my mind at least, is that these azaleas are not southern at all. They are immigrants from the orient.

That is not say that Florida is without native azaleas. We have several species and they are beautiful in their own right and deserving of our attention. Native azaleas largely are relics of a more temperate climate. Most of Florida's species are found in the Panhandle region and many more are found just north of the state line. All have rather small, tubular-shaped flowers, but the lack of individual flower size is compensated for by their bright colors, sheer numbers of blooms, and their sweet fragrance. Our endangered Chapman's rhododendron (Rhododendron chapmanii) has vivid pink flowers, much like some of the oriental azaleas. All other species are true azaleas and not rhododendrons because they are deciduous. I will describe the three most commonly available species in this article. The others sometimes offered are rather risky to attempt in our climate here in Pinellas.

Flame azalea (Rhododendron austrinum). Named for its golden yellow to brick-colored blooms, the Florida flame azalea is native to river terraces and flood plain forests from Mississippi to Georgia and south into north Florida. In Florida, it occurs throughout the Panhandle and extends westward to Liberty County. Flame azaleas grow to nearly 12 feet when mature. At this size, they dominate the landscape in March to April while in full bloom. Although Pinellas is far beyond the natural range of this azalea, I have found them to be fairly adaptable when given the correct growing conditions. Plant them in sandy acid soils with filtered sunlight. They need good drainage, but plenty of soil moisture. Don't put them in a muck soil near a wetland, for example, or in full sun.

Piedmont azalea (R. canescens). This is our native pink azalea and it has been widely used in our area although its natural range in Florida extends only into the northern counties. As its name implies, Piedmont azalea is native to the Piedmont region of the country and its range extends from southeastern Virginia to Tennessee and south to eastern Texas and to north Florida. Throughout this great range it is mostly found in moist woodlands, pocosins and savannas. Piedmont azalea may reach a height of 15 feet and often produces multiple stems from the ground. When not in bloom, this species can be confused with the Florida flame azalea, but one distinctive difference lies with the leaves; Piedmont azalea leaves are velvety pubescent on the underside while those of the flame azalea are smooth. Growing requirements are very similar for these two species.

Swamp azalea (R. serrulatum). Swamp azalea occurs along the edges of wetland forests throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain. It has the greatest distribution of any of our native azaleas in Florida also. I have seen it as far south as Highland Hammock State Park in Highlands County. Swamp azalea has white flowers, but unlike most azaleas it blooms in the middle of summer long after it has regained its leaves. Because of this, it is not as showy as our other natives. Swamp azaleas do best when planted in filtered sun in moist, acid soils. Do not plant them in areas where there will be standing water for more than a day or two. Mine have thrived next to a wetland area in my yard that seasonally fills with water. I placed them at the edge of the average high water line. Although the two species described above seem to do well in average moisture conditions, make sure that you plant swamp azaleas in moist soils.

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